Gallagher
Hamill pen +5
Match Information
Attendance: 5,000
Referee: unknown - to be confirmed
Matchday: Wednesday
Match Trivia
I was surprised. It was not in my mind to expect anything out of the ordinary in a closing League match with nothing at stake, but it turned out to be one of the best games I have ever seen. I am not exaggerating. The football in the second half was delightful – it was real football, and if we saw more of this kind of play there would be an end to the Gloomy Georges who keep telling us the game is going back. The first half was not so fast, but there were spasms of flashy play which pleased the crowd. After 25 minutes Gallagher got the ball from Gall, and with a clever – and typical – side tap with his left foot put it in the net out of Hamilton’s reach. The goal followed some fine, fast, combined work by the Rangers, but the success set Falkirk going, and ten minutes later, when Gallagher went for a dash by himself, he was brought down, and a penalty was awarded. Hamill took a standing kick and converted. Then we saw a grand round of passing and a glorious shot. From Marshall over to Main, then through to Fleming, and next to Brown, who shot a beauty only to find Birrell on the spot and making a gallant save. Rangers fought back in great style and got a penalty, but Marshall shot straight at Birrell, who saved. From this on to the interval the football was a treat. It was the same – even better – in the second half. The champions were going with a fine swing. Craig hit the bar with a shot almost exactly like the one with which he won the Scottish Cup. Then, 12 minutes after the restart, following beautiful play between Craig and Fleming, Nicholson centred, and Brown beat Birrell. From that to the end Rangers were masters in all but scoring. Birrell and his backs were grand, and they pulled their team through. You don’t want to see anything finer than Birrell’s goalkeeping, and yet I hear he has a free transfer or was to get one. Muir was a strong centre-half. He stuck to Fleming. The life of the Falkirk attack was Gallagher. He was in his element – the best of the inside forwards. Hamill, if a wee bit slow, was a strategist, and Gall was smart and resolute. McGinnigle foraged well, and McGregor did some clever things, but shot when he should have centred. Tom Hamilton kept a good goal. Newry Hamilton kicked a long ball and anticipated well. Some admirable football was played by the Ibrox half-backs, of whom Craig was the leading light, with McDonald not far behind. Simpson was a splendid defender. But nothing pleases me more than the stylish play of Main in the second half. It was wing play to perfection. He took the ball away, with head and feet, without stopping, and he put it across with nice accuracy. Brown played much of the tactical football which reveals the thinker, but I would like to see him play at half-back, where I saw him play his best games as an Intermediate. Fleming was not getting much rope from Muir, who was always on his track. Marshall and Nicholson got along together like brothers. The winger put across some delightful centres. Marshall missed a first half penalty
