Young
McMenemy <45
Match Information
Attendance: 30,000
Referee: A Allan (Glasgow)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
At Parkhead the score was the same as in the League match at Ibrox, when Rangers had the goals. The two games were much alike, with of course, the boot on the other leg. At Ibrox Celtic should not have been goalless, this time neither should Rangers. From the first kick to the last the play was furiously waged, and it was fast for the conditions. Some of the football played was marvellously clever, and if Celtic had the readier command of it, with more incision and defter footwork, and turned it to better purpose. Rangers were by no means bankrupt of skill. It is not always that a team will play so well as did Rangers, and have nothing to show except a majority of corners. Celtic could do everything and score; Rangers everything but score. Their methods were different and the difference was what accounted largely for the goals. The Celtic forwards were always in immediate touch with each other, ready to give and take a pass. The half-backs were working partners in the concern. When McMenemy scored the first goal we saw this exemplified. Browning seemed about to shoot when he realised that McMenemy had a better look at the goal then he had. A quick pass, and Hempsey was beaten by a well-judged shot. Similarly, when Young scored the second – with Manderson off having a badly injured right shoulder doctored. Following up closely, Young got a pass from the left, and shot high, Hempsey being only able to touch the ball as it went through. Manderson came on again, and before the interval Shaw had to save from Duncan and Cairns with nothing at all to spare. It was hereabout that the Light Blues did everything except score. With Logan and Bennett and Gourlay changing places on the restart, Rangers made such a breezy onslaught on the Celtic defence that it seemed as if the game was not won yet. But a third Celtic goal by McAtee after twenty-four minutes settled the business, and then the Rangers – who lost Manderson shortly after – had to fight for their life, so to say. It was curious that Gordon should find himself the object of dislike among the home crowd, for he is a confessed admirer of the Celtic team. But he and Gallagher had some duels, and these were not always of the kid glove order. Yet Gordon was the best back on the field and Gallagher the best forward. The Celtic halfs had a great deal to do with the victory, especially Young and Johnstone. Shaw at last got a chance to show what manner of goalkeeper he is, and did his work like a real goalkeeper. McNair and Dodds often needed the help the halfs gave them. McAtee and Gallagher were a fine wing, O’Kane a good centre, and McMenemy and Browning shone in flares. As a mixed side Rangers did wonderfully well. It would be unfair to say that Hempsey should have averted any of the goals. Manderson’s early injury, and his absence for two spells, threw extra work on the others. Wright played grandly in both of his positions, Logan best at centre half, and Hendry stuck in gamely against fire-fly Gallagher. What surprised me most about the forwards was Bennett’s vitality. It was touch-and-go more than once for him getting through. When the line got going they played clever football that certainly was not coated with luck. Both Duncan and Seymour got over good centres, and then the tall man in the Celtic defence came in useful. Both Gourlay and Cairns were clever, but the line as a whole lacked the absolute grip of the Celtic vanguard
