B McPhail 26
J Smith 53
Wallace 55
McKennan 68
Match Information
Attendance: 40,000
Referee: M.C. Hutton (Glasgow)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
Knock! Knock! Whos there? Thistle. What Thistle? Thistle mean a bob or two in the old Firhill sock! Sorry, everybody, but the effect of this bright and breezy Glasgow Cup final hasnt worn off yet. Partick Thistles satisfaction may be dimmed a little by the fact that Rangers played practically all the second half without Main a factor which considerably lightened the task the Firhill defence during that period but the Jags put up such a grand fight that few will grudge them the chance to fight again. For power and efficiency, without frills, Rangers were definitely the superior side; but Thistle offset these things by gameness and sheer audacity. Conspicuous for the latter quality were Johnstone in goal, and McKennan. The Partick keeper took all sorts of chances and most of them came off. On one occasion, he charged out to the edge of the penalty box to deflect shots from Smith and Venters with flailing fists. But McKennan was the jaggiest of the Jags. George Brown had his hands full with the tricky inside-right, who carried cockiness to the point of comedy at times against his redoubtable opponents Hard to rob, fast over the ground, elusive in action, McKennan meant trouble every time he connected with the ball. All he lacked was a spot of judgment in finishing. Particks substitute backs did nobly, and Busby filled Elliots boots with distinction on the right of a hardworking middle line. None of the other forwards approached McKennans standard. Though McMenemy tried many slick touched which just failed to come off. Rangers were hitting on all cylinders except for Kinnears weakness in finishing. The left winger failed too often both in crossing and shooting. Rangers opened strongly and Johnstone was kept as bust as a one-legged tap-dancer for the first fifteen minutes, the closest shave being a full-blooded smack from McPhail which hit the bar. Then we had a spurt of activity from McKennan who gave Wallace a perfect opening. But the centre hesitated just a second too long. In the twenty-five minutes, McPhail scored with an unstoppable drive from the melee following a corner kick. Rangers rampant! McPhail, Smith, McPhail, Kinnear, Main the shots and headers rained in on the Firhill goal. Nothing doing. Johnstone all there for the ugly ones. Half-time. Rangers resumed where they had left off. Sutherland cleared on the goal-line from Smith with Johnstone nowhere. Then the ball came zipping along the Light Blue line. Smith to Venters. Venters to Kinnear. A perfect cross from the winger and thud! - off Smiths skull into the net. Main retired hurt in the tenth minute and Partick promptly started their come-back McKennan pushed the ball out to McSpadyen and Wallace headed home the cross. Gray and Wallace muddled a great chance between them three minutes later, but Thistle were not to be denied. McLeod met a free-kick from Ian Johnstone, and slipped it to McKennan, who scuffled clear and slammed it hard and low past Dawson. After that it was a case of They shall not pass! for the Firhill defenders. Hats off to Johnstone and his fellow die-hards for holding out.
