J McPherson 30
RC Hamilton <45
Moran
Somers (2)
Match Information
Manager: No Permanent Manager
Attendance: 5,000
Referee: Mr T Robertson.
Matchday: Wednesday
Match Trivia
The meeting of the Celtic and the Rangers at Parkhead last night attracted a very fair number of spectators, and provided some keen and exciting play. In fact the match may very fairly lay claim to being one of the fastest and hardest that the two clubs have this season taken part in, and it ought on account of certain peculiar circumstances which transpired to be frequently recalled to mind. Both teams from the start went into their work in an earnest and business like manner, but for a long time they were unable to crown their labours with a tangible result. Many fast and determined rushes were made by both sets of forwards, and plenty of courageous and vigorous tackling, and stopping was accomplished by the backs and half-backs. The goalkeeping qualities of Dickie and McArthur were not too severly tested, the two front ranks as a rule putting very weak touches on their final efforts. Near the interval Hamilton and McPherson made a fine burst, and the latter running in, in really clever style eventually beat McArthur with a swift, slanting shot. A few minutes later Hamilton, though hotly tackled by Welford and Thomson, succeeded in emulating McPherson’s feat, and the Rangers at half-time held a commanding lead of two goals. By not a few spectators the game was thought to be as good as won, and it must be acknowledged that the advantage possessed by the Rangers seemed in a game where two such distinguished teams were engaged to be big enough to carry them to victory. But with the advent of the second half a great change took place so far as the scoring was concerned; and one that afforded immense satisfaction to the Celtic and their numerous admirers. In less than five minutes a nice pass by Somers was beautifully accepted by Moran and the Celtic where only a goal down. Dickie could not have saved little Moran’s shot. The Celtic now played up much more effectively. The forwards ceased to a great extent to daily with the ball, and at length a judicious pass to Somers by McMahon ended in the former sending the ball into the near corner of the net. With the scores level the interest in the game increased ten fold. Somewhat staggered at the turn which affairs had taken, the Rangers made several cute and daring attempts to again defeat the Celtic custodian, and fifteen minutes from the finish they all but effected their purpose. Hamilton got the ball some 40 yards from goal, and by determined effort he shook off Russell. Running in he dodged Welford, and found himself with only McArthur to deal. With his usual good judgment the Celtic goalkeeper saw that his only chance lay in rushing out to meet the Ranger. This he did, but missing the ball Hamilton got his toe in. His shot, however delivered as it was under great pressure, struck the crossbar and rebounded into play. At this point the game had to be stopped for several minutes owing to McArthur having rather seriously hurt himself when he fell. Ultimately the plucky Celtic custodian had to retire, and King was taken from half-back and placed in goal. With only ten men the Celtic renewed the fray with apparently increased vigour, and amid a scene of considerable excitement Somers beat Dickie for the third time. This was unquestionably great work on the part of the Celtic, and they richly deserved the hearty cheers, which were accorded to them from all parts of the enclosure. On to the end the Rangers fought desperately to retrieve their fallen fortune, but their chance had gone, and with the whistle the Celtic had the honour of quitting the field winners by three goals to two. Rarely have the Rangers sustained a more bitter and disappointing defeat. There was little if anything between the teams, but with a two goals lead at half-time and having latter to play against a depleted eleven, surely the odds were all in favour of their success. Untainted praise must be given to the Celtic, the lustre of whose victory is enhanced by the undoubted odds they had to contend against. It falls to the lot of few teams to achieve such a brilliant performance in such circumstances. It must, however be noted that Celtic played beneath themselves in the first half. The defence was all right, but time and again the forwards blundered and finished in a most wretched fashion. The Rangers forwards also shaped indifferently, but the team as a whole gave a better display. It would have required no superhuman effort on the part of the Ibrox eleven to have maintained their superiority in the second half, although the Celtic forwards shoed improved combination and a better disposition to make for goal. The Rangers defence visibly slackened notably in the case of Gibson, who appeared to think that Somers was not worth very much attention. The consequence was that Somers came out of his shell in a surprising manner, and gave N Smith a deal more running and tackling to perform than the Rangers right back could possibly have bargained for. N Smith and Crawford played a fine game all through and were superior as a pair to Welford and Thomson. Both half-back lines put in a vast amount of work, but the Rangers trio were trickier and displayed greater-resource. None of the forwards stood out to any great extent – the best players on each side being perhaps McMahon and A Smith. The goalkeeping on both sides was above reproach.
