J Rankin
Match Information
Attendance: 20,000
Referee: W Bell (Hamilton)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
Although Airdrieonians won by a goal at Broomfield, and deservedly defeated Rangers, yet they played anything but brilliant football. But they did better than Rangers who for twenty minutes only played anything like good football. This was in the opening stages, when, had they let by two goals in the first ten minutes or so no one could have grumbled. Rangers led off as if they were to carry the Airdrieonians’ team off its feet. Then McDonald and Watson wakened up, and with Summers kicking finely, Airdrie got ahead. Rankin had several spanking runs, but his crosses were never taken advantage of. It was Airdrie’s game now, and when Rankin raced away and beat McQueen their chance had come. Rankin bored in and passed to A Reid, who should have scored. The inside man, however, simply tapped the ball back to Rankin, who in an awkward position, piloted the ball past Lock with the inside of his right foot. It looked a silly goal, but it might easily have been missed. It was Airdrie’s game the interval. Rangers were disjoined. Cunningham alone seemed to know that goals were required. Dixon lost the grip on Reid, and three times the Airdrie centre broke away on his lonesome, but his shots went straight for Lock. Only once did the Airdrie goal seem in serious danger. Archibald and Donnachie could make nothing of their opportunities, while on the other hand Gray and Rankin always spelt danger. Gordon and Bowie changed placed, but what Gray did against Gordon he did ever so much easier against Bowie. There were a few thrilling moments in Airdrie’s goal, but McDonald averted disaster. But Rangers never looked like taking a victory home. Of the side which took Airdrie into the semi-final on April 12, Bernard, McDonald and Watson, Knox, Rankin, J Reid and Gray were the prominent men. On Rangers’ side Lock saved well, Manderson was the best of a poor defence, Gordon and Dixon were the best halves and Cunningham alone of the front rank deserves mention.
