Divers 5
Gray 30
Divers 32
Madden
Cassidy
Barker
J McPherson
Madden pen miss
Cassidy 75
Match Information
Manager: No Permanent Manager
Attendance: unknown - to be confirmed
Referee: unknown - to be confirmed
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
The first of the League engagement between the Celtic and the Rangers took lace on Celtic Park, Parkhead before 20,000 spectators. In the Rangers team Cowan, the ex-Northerner, gave way to Boyd; while in the Celtic McEleny displaced Dowds at halfback, and forward Campbell stood out in favour of Divers. The Rangers won the toss, and the Celtic kicked off against a stifhish breeze. As soon as the ball was in motion the Rangers came away with a fine run, causing McArthur to run out and save. Good forward play by the Celts brought forth enthusiastic applause, and Blessington sent in a capital shot which nearly cause the downfall of the Rangers goal, Haddow saving and no more. The game had only gone five minutes when the persistency of the Celts was rewarded, Divers scoring cleverly from a centre from the right, and needless to say, this success was warmly applauded by the home crowd. The play became a bit rough, and the referee (Mr Baillie) had several times to interfere. The Rangers were beginning to make themselves felt, and had several excellent runs, which however were neutralised by the Celts defence, which so far, was steady and accurate. From a foul close on the Celts charge the Rangers had a chance of equalising, but Marshall – usually judicious – kicked the ball high over the bar. Blessington, who was playing on the extreme right wing of the Celts, was in grand form, and shone conspicuously, using his ‘contrarily’ some of his shots taken under difficulties nearly having effect. The play was very fast and exciting – by far the hardest of the season – but taken all round, the Celts had undoubtedly the best of it. After half an hour’s play, as the result of a scrimmage the Rangers promptly equalised, and the game raged faster than ever, if that were at all possible. A couple of minutes after the Rangers success, the Celts supporters sent up a wild shot it must have been heard a long way off, signalling that their team had once more gained the ascendancy. It was the result of some clever go-ahead play by Blessington and Madden, who passed the ball over to the wing. Haddow saved a long shot, but on rushing out to meet the ball again, the goal was left open, and Divers making no mistake scored the second for the Celts. Haddow was beaten for the third time very easily indeed, Madden sending the ball through. When the game resumed there most have been 20,000 spectators present. The chances were now certainly against any hope of the Rangers equalising, far less of their being able to win, as they had t play against the wind. From some excellent play by Maley and Kelly, Divers was enable to have a fine run along the left, and after Haddow had saved a foul occurred right in front of his goal. From which the Celts scored their fourth goal. The Rangers tried hard to make headway, and Barker scored the second goal with a swift low shot. The Rangers rallied wonderfully well, and they made the game very even, but it was evident a lot had been taken out of the team by the pace in the first half. This was apparent in the back division, Smith and Doyle on either side showing a decided falling off, and it was indeed owing to a miss kick by Doyle that led to McPherson, after McArthur had saved, rushing ball and man through, and scoring the third goal amidst loud applause. Chances of equalising came by the Rangers way, chiefly from the efforts of McPherson and Barker, but the centre was slow to take advantage of them. The Celts recovered a bit, and sent in some splendid shots, but Haddow showed a determined front, and saved grandly. The Celts claimed on one occasion that the ball had gone through, but a penalty kick was allowed. Madden took the kick, and Cassidy promptly scored the fifth goal for the Celts, whose supporters were now relieved of their anxiety. With two clear goals of a lead, and a quarter of an hour to go, the Celts no doubt felt safe, but probating by earlier experience, they never relaxed their efforts, and in this way they practically put the issue beyond doubt. With the exception of an occasional run by the Rangers, the Celts had the game well in hand, and although each goal was assailed in turn there was no further scoring, and the game ended – Celtic 5 goals: Rangers 3 goals.
