McGrory 25, 35
A Cunningham 47, 57
Match Information
Attendance: 65,000
Referee: T Small (Dundee)
Matchday: Monday
Match Trivia
What a transformation! At the interval at Parkhead I would not have given much for the chance of a replay. Indeed, as the teams trooped off for tea and titivating, the Rangers’ outlook seemed just about as depressing as the weather. But somebody from Ibrox had been seeing things in the first half from the proper angle. It wasn’t exactly a brain wave that led to the transposing of Andrew Cunningham and Bob McKay, but be that as it may, the change worked wonders. It saved the Rangers; it robbed Celtic of what seemed an assured victory. Throughout the earlier portion it was as plain as a pikestaff that ‘big Andra’ of not altogether at sea as a leader, was not hitting it off. Therefore, I was not a bit surprised at the revised formation. But what did surprise me was the instantaneous effect the change had on the game. Why, just as the third minute was clocked – before the Parkhead defence had got the hang of the altered opposition, I might say – their lead had been reduced fifty per cent. And Cunningham did it. First time, from almost thirty yards, like a bolt from the blue, Andrew let go goalwards, and Shevlin was guessing. The Ibrox fellows were transformed. Alec Archibald, who had been doing the little he was asked before the turn, and doing it very nicely, struck the very brightest patch I have seen him strike for many a day. Andrew Cunningham’s long swinging passes were just what ‘Archie’ wanted, and McFarlane and Hilley were worried much. As a matter of fact, for quite a while the outside man did pretty much as he liked, and in the fifteenth minute, if the Rangers were not altogether on velvet, they had saved the tie. Side-stepping several Celts, the Ibrox Fifer placed the ball right to Andrew’s deadly left, and from a good twenty yards the ball ‘ripped’ past Shevlin. It tore a hole in the net, which Mr Small called on Eddy Garvie to mend ere play was resumed. In this ‘quarter’ Cunningham read an object lesson to those responsible for his experimental placing in the middle. On the day Andrew was no centre-forward – in the second half he touched his very best as an inside right. While I have eulogised the Rangers on their glorious rally I am equally as certain that the Celts threw away an equally glorious opportunity. Top-dogs in the first half, their wits seemed to go a-wool gathering when they came back again – long before they recovered them the sides were on level-pegging. Of course, the goals which acted as a tonic on the Ibrox fellow had a correspondingly depressing effect on the Celts. While the latter stages were exciting enough and hardly enough fought, the thrills and frills of the earlier period were absent. But let’s get to the beginning now. Only eight minutes had gone when McGrory lashed the ball very smartly past Robb. But the eagle eye of the referee discerned the Parkhead centre put a hand to the ball ere getting it under control. Mr Small awarded a free-kick instead of a goal – and he was absolutely correct. Tommy McInally’s leading out work was grand. To right and left he kept pushing the ball was unerring accuracy, and once he fired in a rising shot, which Robb did well to gather. Play was never more than a minute or two at either end. McKay’s distribution was very good indeed, but Cunningham was obviously uncomfortable. Archibald and McGregor certainly put across some nice balls, still the Ibrox attack was anything but convincing. In the outfield the quintette displayed nice footwork. So too did the Celts, who were different in this way – they had a right good little enterprising centre. This was proved mid-way through when Thomson cutely dodged round and shoved the ball ahead. Like a cat at a mouse McGrory pounced on it, and smash it went into the right hand corner of Willie Robb’s net. Rangers were quick to retaliate, and after Cunningham had failed to pick up a McKay pass, Archibald sent in a swerving shot, which gave Shelvin a few anxious moments. Connolly, who has taken a long time to come into action, obliged with a similar try at the other end: then their second goal – time 34 minutes. It happened thus. McInally forged ahead and pushed ahead. Robb came out as McGrory rushed in. The Parkhead centre got the better of the clash, and the ball squirmed out towards the left. McGrory kept going on and from a difficult angle screwed the ball home. It was all Celtic for the next few minutes. Connolly, now settled, had the better of his meetings with Jamieson, and a drooping ball from Thomson gave Robb something to think about. After McGrory had got the wrong side of his head to a McInally pas, the centre and McLean became mixed up, and a Connelly cross which looked like a scorer went for naught. In this, certain - Celtic’s half, they were sprightlier – at goal they were much the sharper – and at its finish, as I have already said, they looked certain winners. They ‘slept’ in the early minutes following the turn, and Cunningham’s inspiration brought about the transformation. Nearing the close, the struggle was as intense as ever, but leg-weariness was apparent in either side. Craig made a supreme effort to pull the Rangers through, but McKay was slow to make for the ball, and a fine bit of work went for nothing. Celts then had a pull, but really Robb’s end was seldom tested seriously. McGrory and Cunningham merit special recognition, and not only for their goals. The Celt’s duo were contributed to by McInally and Thomson; still, the centre showed indomitable pluck and resource in putting the copestone on the work of his colleagues, Cunningham’s counters emphasised what a powerful left foot he possesses. In a more compact Celtic attack, Thomson lasted the game better than McInally, but both were grand purveyors. I have seen more McLean many a time, yet what wee Adam did he did well. As the game progressed, Connolly improved. Peter Wilson was the No 1 half-back. Seldom beaten, unlike Jamie McStay and John McFarlane, he was in the picture all the time. McFarlane’s placing was splendid, but ‘Jean’ was out of position too often after the cross over. Thus, the overworked Hilley found the Archibald-Cunningham combine something beyond him. Willie McStay was much more effective than his brother. While I preferred Robb to Shevlin, neither had the ghost of a chance with the scoring balls. Manderson was the better ‘Light Blue’ back – perhaps Bert was the best of the four. Craig was one of the most outstanding men afield. He put plenty of ‘pep’ into his work – it was no fault of ‘Tully’ that the Ibrox forward lacked fire. Muirhead and Dixon were workers all the time. As I have said Archibald and Cunningham were the Rangers forwards who mattered most. McKay as support to Archibald was dainty enough but lacking in thrust – a defect that became more apparent when he went into the middle. Cairns, who found things running none too well – was knocked badly in the second half. McGregor, never over-burdened with work, got across several quite good balls
