McInally
McLean
Match Information
Attendance: 65,082
Referee: G.W. Hamilton (Motherwell)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
I’m not quite sure, but I think yesterday’s Glasgow Cup semi-final at Parkhead is only the second match in which I have seen Celtic and Rangers perform. The first was away back in my early junior days – shortly after my townsman, Neilly Gibson, had taken the Ibrox ticket. Therefor I felt when the editor of the ‘Sunday Mail’ asked me to do the match that I was going to see something. Don’t run away with the idea that I didn’t! I did! Still, the game wasn’t what I would describe as one that will remain for ever in my memory. It was a right good tussle p as keen as you could wish for. Yet there were many holes in the armour of either team. And – Rangers disappointed me more than the other fellows. Their attack was poor stuff by comparison. Tommy Cairns dis as much as any one man could be expected to do – more than most inside forwards are capable of – but, nevertheless, the line was a bad second to the opposition quintette. You ask me why? James Bowie was good, but by no means the real Bowie. In the outfield the Ibrox strategist did all right, but his play lacked the punch so necessary to win matches. Had Bowie been as aggressive as he should, Rangers, and not Celtic might have won. In saying so I do not wish to belittle in the least Celts – they were worthy winners. They went on like the wind when the opposition stood stock still almost; they were a combination, whereas the Ibrox crowd were so many units. Rangers started very nicely. Indeed, had they scored right off the reel, as they should – following a right good Alan Morton centre and just as bad a Shaw clearance – anything might have happened. As a matter of fact, Ibrox might have won. But they didn’t, and from this onward I could see a Celtic triumph. There was nothing very special in the placing of the Parkhead half-backs, but it was better than that put up by the Ibrox intermediate division. As a consequence, the Celtic attack had to do ever so much less running for the ball – hence their victory. And again, they were much better served in centre. I have great admiration for Cunningham as an inside man, but Andrew has neither the initiative nor the thrust required for the centre job. He should take a lesson from McInally. As yet Tom is neither a Bob McColl nor a Albert Sheppard, but he is a worker and a worrier, and I think in the very near future the young Celt will make good. Rangers lose much of Cunningham’s value by playing him in the middle. I’m not going to give in detail the happenings in this game, which was as keen and clean, and well fought out, as anyone could wish for – friends of mine. Among them Bob Kelso, of the old Renton, told me – that it was top-hole – Celtic Rangers contest. Let me tell you about the goals, and in describing the first one I am letting you know about absolutely the best thing of the game. The man in the street will say that McInally’s scoring ball was a teaser. It was – Tom’s shot knocked a deal of whitewash from off the crossbar as it crashed into the net. Gallagher’s pass to the centre was superb, almost; still, most of the credit must be given to McAtee, Andy’s low shove along to his mate was ideal, but before letting it go, he showed much head. The Croy man placed the ball where he ought to; result – a goal, and ultimate Celtic victory. That was all until the interval; until the second half was one minute more than half an hour old. Then, McInally beat Smith to a frazzle; Adam McLean picked up Tom’s pass just where he should, and Robb was helpless. Celtic looked easy winners now. But even if they were a couple of goals behind, Rangers were not beaten – not by a jugful. I have been told that in the past once the ‘Light Blues’ lost the lead they were done. It was not so yesterday. As it turned out they did better and after Alan Morton had clinched a beautiful thing from Bowie, I should not have been surprised had they equalised. They played better even than in the opening stages, but the improvement came too late in the day. Celtic were out to keep their lead, and they managed it. Now you want to know exactly why Celtic won. They did so because they were the more progressive, the more combined side – why, they often had the Rangers near tied up in a knot. A word about the players. I didn’t like the Ibrox attack. It lacked initiative, and - Cunningham is not a centre. Andrew does not go through as he should. James Bowie, while good, was far from great; and while Cairns was the best of the line, I am throwing no bouquets at Tommy. Morton disappointed me. He let go the ball first time every time as if he was afraid of it, and his centres invariably found Alec McNair waiting for them. I like a forward to middle quick, but a man of Alan’s admitted ability should vary his game now and then. Low started well but did very badly afterwards. Dixon defended grandly, and while I have hopes of Meiklejohn coming on, I did not fancy much of the Ibrox half-backs. Each and all in front their due. Behind where Manderson was the better back, there was little to cavil at. Young Smith will be a fitting successor to ‘old Nick’ one day, but Robb was not convincing. Mind you, when I say this, I do not blame Willie for the loss of either Rangers’ goals. McNair’s work was worth going a long way to see. We saw the same old Alec. Burly Willie McStay was as usual, and Cringan, McMaster and Gilchrist, in that order, made up a serviceable middle line – a better than the Ibrox trio. Gallagher, if less combative than I have seen him, was grand – Patsy was the best inside forward afield. He gave McAtee the passes he wanted, and Andy was simply great. I don’t mind telling you that I have never before in one game seen the Croy stalwart play so much football. McInally will do. Tom has improved much even in the few weeks that have elapsed since I saw him in Hamilton. He sticks at nothing; he is always ready for a chance. Cassidy may not be a McMenemy, still Joe is more than a passable substitute; and if Adam McLean did not scintillate to any great extent his clever goal will carry him through
