B McPhail 27
J Smith 30
Match Information
Attendance: 16,000
Referee: H Watson (Glasgow)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
Yesterdays game at Rugby Park demonstrated two highly important points. It showed that Rangers have definitely formed their team into a kind of co-operative society, with the dividends shared alike by attack and defence. It would be idle to call Marshall and McPhail forwards or Meiklejohn and Brown half-backs. They slump the duties of fetching and carrying the ball and dont mind where these duties call them, even into their own goal-mouth. Meiklejohn also takes on odd jobs in Simpsons domain, recognising like the master of position he is that here lies the only potential defect in the Ibrox machinery. For machine-like football it is, with the profound qualification that it is sensitive to every reaction, has a gadget for every contingency. I cannot think of any team other than Rangers who could possibly devise this, the nearest ting to invincibility as the rules are now. The secret lies essentially in the power and strength of Marshall and McPhail and the versatility of Meiklejohn and Brown. Yet, the other important point demonstrated, all this scientifically-designed structure was at times very nearly toppled over by the gusty attacks of pace-fevered Kilmarnock. During two definite periods, just before and after the interval, the dictators were Killie. I am quite sure that at these times Rangers dreaded the loss of a point, though they were still ahead. More especially when Maxwell narrowed the scoring margin to one by a marvellous goal a few minutes after the resumption. These general impressions convey that rule-of-thumb does not yet quite dominate the result of a football match, that we are still to be consoled by the chance of surprise. The curious thing is that not one of Rangers three goals were the outcome of continued play. All were second moves from a free-kick, the opposition having no opportunity of countering them with a tackle. Still, McPhails opening counter called for splendid positional sense and judicious action. He had to get under the ball yet head it downward to deceive the waiting goalkeeper. This was in the twenty-seventh minute, and on the half-hour, Rangers were two ahead. Millots infringement against Smith was leniently dealt with and he was fortunate in not being ordered off. It looked childs play for Smith to head through Meiklejohns inviting kick into the goalmouth. These wilful misfortunes sent Killies stock down low, but they never allowed themselves to be conscious of it and gave Rangers defence a tearing that made it appear rather tattery at times. Rangers in a bad phase. Maxwell, meanwhile, had a distinguished company of escorts, and had his inside colleagues lain wider and more forward, there was more trouble in store for Rangers. Killie continued this phase after the interval, and Maxwells wonder goal in four minutes seemed like writing on the wall. Controlling a long ball from the left, Maxwell sounded Simpson in the one movement, but veered to the left, and well out of probable range. But the calculating brain and foot were still active, and from near the bye-line he released a shot which must have brushed Dawsons shoulder in its narrow passage to the net. Further success dangling before their eyes, Killie set themselves eagerly towards it, too eagerly at times; but Rangers braved the storm, and when it had passed set their forward machinations in action. Pace-pumped Killie were seen in their true football colours then and had to give best. Rangers had still their reserve of science and vindicated it in the closing stages to retire worthy, if rather exhausted, victors who knew they had been in a struggle. Eleven minutes from time Maxwell had relieved their anxieties by placing himself to receive a free0kick from Brown and making a deliberate task of shooting through. I hardly care to criticise this Rangers combine individually nowadays. Simpson and Smith were below the team grade, but Simpson is detached. Smith, I do not care for at all in his new zeal. It makes him look positively cumbersome. But I must give youngsters Dawson and Main a pat on the back. Dawson was thoroughly reliable and got quite a lot to do. Mains skill was very happily displayed, especially in the second half, and he should definitely shed all lack of confidence. Killies weakness at inside forward was too glaring for words. Connell is a misfit, and Williamsons cleverness was aimless. The haphazard tactics of the inside forwards affected the wing men, whose gritty play was not exploited. The neglect of Maxwell was nothing less than a tragedy from a Killie point of view. In his element with a difficult ball and holding ground, this true little footballer looked fit for anything. I do not prefer Kelvin to Glass at half-back, and think a mistake was made in his selection. Smith rose nothing in my hopeful estimation, but McEwan was not outclassed. Milloy was the best back on the field in his impetuous way, and Morton did very well. But Miller in goal has a kink in his handling which is not reassuring.
