A Venters 12
B McPhail 22
J Smith 45
J Smith 68
Missed Penalties
A Venters pen miss 88
Match Information
Attendance: unknown - to be confirmed
Referee: P Craigmyle (Aberdee)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
I have seen Albion Rovers on various occasions this season, and more than once have I watched them put a spoke in the wheel of some more fancied opponents. Their style of play lends itself to the upsetting of clubs that play a stereotyped game, and particularly have I in mind the manner in which they knocked Partick Thistle off their usual game at Cliftonville. These tactics, however, were of no avail against Rangers. Not for a long time have I seen the Ibrox brigade in such devastating mood. To be quite frank, they toyed with the opposition, and their win by five goals to one in no way exaggerated their superiority. The Rovers fought hard, particularly in the first half, but they could make little or no impression on the rock-like defence of the Rangers. Renwick was held in a vice by Simpson, Gray without turning a hair had Anderson and Barclay in his pocket, and McDonald, whilst more spectacular than his mate, was able to subdue McPhee and Lyon, although the latter was probably the most dangerous Rovers forward. Anderson worked hard to get the front line going, but too many of his wide swinging passes found the foot of an opponent. No doubt the Rovers felt the loss of Bruce and Liddell never fitted into the scheme of things. After all, the ex-Clyde man is not a centre half. Donnelly started well, but faded out, but Browning served up his usual constructive game. As a line, however, the Rovers half-backs were almost entirely on the defensive, and so bust were they trying to hold up the Rangers forwards, that they had little time to spare to help their own forwards. Waddell and Beath were overworked but they were heroic backs and behind them Crosskey had many fine saves. In a great Rangers side, McPhail, to my mind, was outstanding. He was the finished forward, and on the form displayed cannot be left out of a Scottish team. Next, I would place Venters, a clever scheming player who got rid of the ball to the best advantage. Smith was a powerful leader, as his hat-trick testifies. Gillick, spoon-fed by McPhail and Main, was a grand winger, although weak with his right foot. Behind, Meiklejohn was a great general, with Brown and Simpson not far behind. The backs I have referred to. Dawson was the finished keeper. Venters got the opening goal with a clever header, and McPhail got the second with a powerful drive. Smith added number three, and Lyon got Rovers goal close in. Smith got Rangers fourth goal before the interval. In the second half Smith for his hat-trick and Rangers fifth goal, whilst a few minutes from the end Venters failed to count from a penalty kick. Venters missed an 89th minute penalty
