O'Hare 20
Meiklejohn 24
Meiklejohn pen >45
Match Information
Attendance: 16,000
Referee: Tom Dougray (Bellshill)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
Dundee’s position in the League is no better than it was, but in the game with Rangers they showed great improvement and ought to have has at least one point. Luck was dead against them, and that mighty Rangers could only call best by the air of a penalty kick has placed the Dens Park team higher up in the estimation of the home crowd that it has been for some time. Right up to the end Dundee played gamely, and that, too, despite the fact that they had a lame duck on their side for 85 minutes of the match. Gus Smith, who was making his League debut, strained a muscle of his thigh on his first run up, and although he resumed at centre, he had to transfer to outside right, O’Hara going centre and Barrett inside right. Rangers had Ireland as pivot and Buchanan at right half, while Marshall again took Cunningham’s place at inside right. There was not the usual huge crowds and queues, but there would be round about 16,000 presents. As a token of respect to late Mr John K McDowall, the teams and spectators stood to attention for minute’s silence before the kick off. Rangers pressed at the start, and Paton earned his spurs in the first ten minutes. In Brown’s place at right back, Paton tackled and kicked like a veteran, and his placing was perfect. After Morton had had a shy at fruitless corners, and Fleming’s shot had been saved by Robertson, Cook well ahead to O’Hara, who cleverly beat Ireland, and rushing in crashed the ball into the net. It was a beautifully-taken goal. Dundee’s joy was short-lived, however, for slackness in defence allowed Meiklejohn to steady and take deliberate aim, the ball crashing into the net with Robertson looking on. Four minutes only had gone since Dundee’s goal. There was more to come, however. Cook threaded his way close in a couple of minutes later, and from an angle sent in a shot which beat Hamilton hollow. Dundee’s hopes again ran high. They had the game in their grip now, and ought to have counted again, but Smith and O’Hara messed matters in the goalmouth by hitting the goalkeeper when the goal was gaping for the ball. Rangers equalised again before the interval. Morton corkscrewing past McNab and Paton and lobbing a simple-looking shot into the left-hand corner of the net. Only five minutes of the second half had gone when Paton brought down Morton, and Referee Dougary awarded a penalty, although the Dundee defenders claimed that the infringement took place outside the penalty line. Meiklejohn took the kick and netted. That was how the scoring was done, but there is another incident which, unfortunately, has to be noted. Midway in the second half McNab and McPhail, who had previously been cautioned, were at loggerheads, and Mr Dougary sent them to the pavilion. Rangers’ forward line never seemed to settle. Archibald careered once or twice and crossed in fine style, but for once the inside men were not on the mark. They lacked shooting sting. Even without Smith Sundee’s attack was always more dangerous, but Cook, like his colleagues, missed pinches. Rangers had a lot of attacking, but without any great purpose, and Paton and Gilmour were very often on top. The new formation of Dundee in the middle line was not successful. Ross being out of his element at left half, although he saw to it that Marshall was seldom dangerous. McNab and Dundee’s best half, and it was regrettable that he fell foul of McPhail. Barrett as an inside forward showed great grit, and Robertson at inside left started well, but petered out. Both McNab and McPhail were sent-off after 70 minutes
