B McPhail 36
J Smith 78
Main 79
Match Information
Attendance: 18,000
Referee: J.M. Martin (Fife)
Matchday: Wednesday
Match Trivia
Big, breezy, bustling Smith and McPhail did it. Match-winning Robert, who is believed to be on the last lap, and yet can do more in a minute than many of our players can do in half-an hour. And Jimmie Smith, who scored a wonder goal that Pittodrie will remember when it has forgotten lots of things it is promised to remember. McPhail took his goal after they had played 38 minutes. It wasnt a clean-cut business. Main got away on the right, stumbled, bit got the ball over. Nicholson and McPhail went for it. McPhail won, and with a right-footer from six yards he scored a goal less brilliant than many he has taken, but no less eloquent of this game ones highly-developed goal-mouth sense. And that was one goal in a game that should have produced a basket of them. I heard them say Aberdeen were unlucky. I am not going to stand for that. To me, a team that have the chances in their pockets and allow them to slip dont deserve sympathy. They asked for the managers slipper. Aberdeen had a variety of methods of getting near Dawson, but their idea of beating him was the oldest known flop method in the world. They wanted to accompany the ball over the goal-line. Youve seen this sort of thing and deplored the futility of it all. Jimmy Smith showed them how it should be done with his masterly goal which he put on 12 minutes from time. Alex Venters took a free kick. It dropped low and Bob McPhail was on it, and carrying on a bewildering move full of speed and soccer silk he sent on to smith who rattled it into the net. Smith, this was one of your very best. Maybe it wasnt Rangers at their best, but Aberdeen shuddered and shook as if it was the old Cairns-Morton-Meiklejohn company they were against. These Dons have ability, field sense and team-work, but they have no poise. They rattled along, unsteady, and their lest effort were just as unsteady. When the Dons were threatening at the start the Rangers backs were splendid. McKillop was at inside right. Not bad at all. But give me McPhail and Smith, and Ill swap you a dozen fancy jugglers who are only that. Jimmy Simpson was something like the steady James who served so well for years. Aberdeen must pull up their socks. To suggest they were capable of winning and then fritter chances away which might made the suggestion a really was particularly galling. Main was too much for Devine who was out at left back. Just a minute after Smiths great goal. Main made it three with a good shot. Hats off to Cooper, one of the best of our backs, and a tough Aberdeen half-back line. The hat is still off to Armstrong, who tried and tried as if this was a cup final or something
