A Venters 54
J Smith 56
Match Information
Attendance: 13,000
Referee: H Watson (Glasgow)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
League football and Cup-tie football, we have been taught, are two entirely different propositions. Let us hope that this is correct, for if one is to judge by yesterdays rehearsal of the St Johnstone-Rangers Scottish cup semi-final tie, next Saturdays meeting between the two teams will be ordinary fare. And yet there were really some interesting passages in this game at Ibrox, where in the end Rangers ran out comfortable winners. But these interesting passages were definitely not provided in the first half. They were all reserved for the second portion. In the first half, Rangers were strugglers compared to some of their displays this season, but even so the Perth lot could not take advantage of the fact and scored a goal. The Saints produced some good football, and occasionally threaten danger. To such an extent, indeed, that the Light Blue loyalists in the stand and on the terracing became a bit anxious and revealed that anxiety by indulging in certain exhortations. The St Johnstone right wing in this period was its usual dainty self, and Tennants touchline work, allied to his crossing of the ball, was at times delightful. Davidson gave us samples of his tricky work on the ball. The rangers attack, on the other hand, was scraggy, and their attempts at striking a effective combination were most erratic. The machine never got working. There seemed to be sand in the wheels somewhere, and instead of moving with the smoothness and precision of the well-oiled mechanism, it jerked and spluttered in a stifled sort of wat. This first half was poor. A difference in the second, from the start of which St Johnstone had impressed upon them the fact that they were the second fiddle; that they would play according to the dictates of the Ibrox baton. It appeared to me as if Rangers had had a heart to heart talk in the pavilion at half-time. Anyhow, they started off with a dash and determination that had never been in evidence in the earlier stages of the game, and shortly after the referee had set real shot of the game, a great drive by Smith from 25 yards, and added thrill was given to it by a magnificent save by Wylie. This started the definite superiority of Rangers. St Johnstone continued to show come of the finer points of the game in addition to revealing that they were well endowed physically but they never carried the purposeful attack of the Rangers, and it was only a case of landing the odds when Venters scored from over twenty yards. Rangers were attacking, and Wylie, in a scrimmage, knocked the ball through a bunch of players to where Venters was lying in the open space unmarked. The Fifer steadied and let drive. Two minutes later came the second goal. Macaulay, who had been on starvation diet in the first half, was now getting plenty of the ball, and was certainly putting it a valuable use. A player of determination and resource, both qualities were in evidence when he carried on although heavily tackled, and from the goal-line screwed in a cross when it looked as if he would be forced to carry the ball past. The leather reached the front of the goal hip-high, and Smith, who came rushing in chose to use his head, which came down from its great height, made contact with the ball, and caused it to go whizzing into the net. Shortly after, Fleming got away on his own. Wylie ran out and blocked his shot but could not clutch the ball. Fleming turned back, regained possession, and banged on another goal. Competitive interest was now killed. Rangers were the master and played as such. Ten minutes from the end Gray was led from the field and did not resume, but just to show how confidently the Rangers were playing, I might illustrate an action of the normally defensive Simpson when his team were a man short. The big fellow beat Tennant for possession well in Rangers territory. The manner in which he did so tickled the crowd. There was one of those big chuckles that grew to a howl of delight as Simpson continued on his way, and with a long raking stride, beat one man after another until he had successfully negotiated his way past five opponents, before parting nicely along the turf to Fleming. Simpson was given a great cheer, and as it rang out, I could not help thinking that Simpsons individual greatness as a footballer had been sacrificed on the altar of his clubs tactical measures. These occasional flashed of Simpsons attacking powers, which he has been revealing in recent games, are inspiring affairs. Mt summing-up of the game. Unless St Johnstone, in the intervening days, can discover punch, Rangers will be in another Cup final. But then Cup football is so different, especially where rangers are concerned
