Waddell 25
Match Information
Attendance: 41000
Referee: M.C. Hutton (Glasgow)
Matchday: Monday
Match Trivia
Rangers were once again too good for Arsenal at Ibrox. The Highbury side were not up to the standard of previous years and were always struggling against a team that gave them a lesson in concerted moves and individual ability. In every position except goal and back, Arsenal were inferior to the Light Blues. Male and Compton stood up to their work and time and again saved hen all seemed lost. Swindin was another man who did much to keep the score down to 1-0. In a lesser degree, Joy was another stalwart, but faded out a little towards the ned of the game. I cannot say much for the rest of the players in the Arsenal team. They fell far below what we have come to expect from the famous London side. Rangers rose to the occasion. Dawson did all that was asked of him, and Gray and Shaw were grand. McKillop was the star half-back afield. Never have I seen him finishing off his good tackling work by such shrewd passing. Light Blues from line often moved as a line. McPhail and Kinnear were a sparkling wing and the repetition of the same game played by the outside-left should bring him right to the forefront for international honours. Waddell paid his way, If I have one fault against him, it is in not using his speed when left with a clear field. However, it was a big match for the youngster, and he did exceedingly well. Despite a heavy fall of rain prior to the kick-off there would be nearly 40,000 present to greet the teams. Arsenal received a mighty cheer when they stepped on to the field a fact which indicated their popularity in Glasgow. Arsenal were being seen little as an attacking force, and McPhail continued to be Rangers schemer-in-chief. A cute dribble and a shrewd slip opened up the Englishmens defence, but two pile-drivers by the Rangers inside-left were confidently saved by Swindon. Nearest Arsenal came to causing Dawson any anxiety was in a breakaway when a series of miskicks by Rangers defenders almost proved fatal. The ball ran clean across the goal with not an arsenal foot to tip it in. Rangers were eager for a goal and kept hovering around Swindin, but Joys height was proving a big stumbling block. I would have liked, however, to see Waddell using his speed a little bit more. I know he can go and more than once when left with a clear field he halted to allow Fiddes to come up and receive the pass. It also allowed Arsenal to recover in defence after it had been split wide open. But it was this young winger who gave Rangers the lead in 25 minutes. Receiving in much the same position as I have quoted, we thought once again he had dallied too long. Hoever, he got a second chance and pouncing on the rebound from the tackle slashed the ball hard and true into the rigging. Immediately following this Arsenals play brightened a little and only the ever-safe Dougie Gray prevented the equaliser. Bremner delivered a right foot hook that had Dawson beat all ends up, but Gray was there on the goal-line to head over the bar. Another piece of brilliant play by Rangers front line found Waddell unfortunate in not adding to their total. Kinnear had crossed low across goal, and Waddell who had run into the centre banged it first time from inside the six-yard line. It was a lucky Swindin who stuck up his hands to divert it over the bar. Arsenal came more into the picture towards the interval. Rangers lost their vice-like grip, but Arsenal lacked a shot to cause Dawson any more anxiety. After the restart, Bryn Jones, who had been little in the limelight in the initial period, was moved to inside-right. Drury took up the outside position, and Bremner moved to inside-left. A roar greeted the opening exchanged as Kinnear eluded Male and swing a high ball into goal. Smith met it with his head, but Swindin was again his sides saviour by bringing off a brilliant one-handed save. Kinnear had some great duels with Male and Leslie Jones, and the crowd could not get enough of them. Rangers gradually assumed the ascendancy, and the left wing tore down on Swindin, who had to make a desperate save to avert what looked like a certain scorer. Then another near thing when Swindin, taking a goal kick, struck one of his defenders. The keeper had to look lively to stop its progress into the net. It continued to be mostly all Rangers. Smith, in tricky runs, looked like capping his outfield play by a goal. Indeed, he nearly scored when, after a solo run, he jabbed the leather past the keeper. To the amazement of all, however, the ball ran along the goal-line to safety.
