Murray 55
Miller 65
Match Information
Attendance: 41,000
Referee: T Small (Dundee)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
Hearts have had a long time to wait for their victory over Rangers, but their time came yesterday at Tynecastle, when there was no mistake about their victory. All over Hearts were the more impressive brigade, and in the end, they had Rangers all at sixes and sevens. Hearts’ policy of bringing in McStay and Miller for this vital contest paid hands down, for both the old Celt and the inside right were star turns. McStay gave one of those stuffy displays that used to charm the Paradise, while Miller added just the pep to the line that has been so greatly desired. His goal was a beauty, and his opening out work a treat to watch. The Rangers were less fortunate in their team make-up. Fleming was left out, leaving Marshall in the middle, while Muirhead reported fit, and was made a last-minute selection. This hardly proved a success, for Marshall in the middle failed as a leader, and Muirhead seemed hardly at his best. Rangers too, were badly handicapped early on, when McPhail took a knock on his weak ankle that practically put him out of count. But that is not intended as an excuse for Rangers. Hearts, as I have said, were the better team, and their victory was obtained by sheer merit. They started off like winners, and only for short spells were they subjected to severe pressure. For the rest of the game, they were forcing the pace, and making it hot for the Rangers’ defence, which at times was not too reliable. In the first half Hearts were value for a goal on play, but they never seriously threatened the Rangers’ goal. The Tynecastle trouble during this half lay with the inside forwards, who parted with the ball as if it was a hot brick. As a result, Gray and Hamilton could afford to give all their attention to the wing men, who all along gave distinct promise. The second half saw a change in Hearts’ policy. The inside men put more work on the ball and made openings for the wingers, who promptly responded. It was from two crosses of Johnston, a great young player, that Murray and then Miller got their goals. It was during that break-neck second half that the weaknesses in the Rangers’ defence were exposed, and while Gray must come out of the fray with a clean sheet, there were others who did not come up to their usual standard. In goal, Tom Hamilton was not blameless for the goals. Had he been quicker he might have stopped the first. On the other hand, he brought off a number of clever saves. Bob Hamilton had tricky handful in Johnston, but despite this, he was shay when the play was right on top of him. In the half-back line Meiklejohn received an injury that affected his play, and as he had an extra big job on watching Battles, there is some excuse for his mediocre display. Neither Craig nor Buchanan touched top form. The front rank was disjointed when McPhail’s injury reasserted itself, and left Morton – about Rangers’ best forward – to hoe a lone furrow. Marshall missed at least one pinch in the centre. From Archibald and Muirhead came occasional glimpses of the real stuff, but they were spasmodic and did not get much support. Hearts’ team all over bore a workmanlike appearance. I was particularly impressed by young Miller, who disposed Chalmers. He was a star turn, and a very upsetting force to Bob Hamilton and Craig. The old newcomer, Willie McStay, was better than anyone Hearts have tried in the position this season. There was a special incentive to pull the best out if the old war-horse on this occasion, and knowing as he does the tricks of the Ibrox brigade, he was an invaluable aid in directing the defence. Other Hearts who shone were J Johnstone, Harkness, Bennie, Battles, R Johnston and King. Of these perhaps the best was Bennie. The old Airdrie man was the star half-back afield, and never wasted a pass. J Johnstone in the middle showed that he has returned to his beat form. Harkness had some difficult shots to save, but he was confidence personified. Battles led his forwards in grand style, and his headers kept Tom Hamilton always alert. What a great head Barney has? Hearts kicked off, but were not allowed to go far, excellent tackling by Gray putting Rangers on the attack, where Marshall immediately got into action with a great shot across the Hearts’ goal. Fortunately for Harkness there was no Ranger up to get the ball as it came to earth. Hearts were again put to it when Archibald lobbed a tempting cross to Marshall’s head, but the centre’s aim was out, and the ball went harmlessly past. Hearts recovered gamely, and for a time play was waged at Tom Hamilton’s end, but the keeper was rarely troubled with a shot. Following a free-kick against McStay, Harkness brought off a fine save with a couple of Rangers on his top. Then came more Hearts’ pressure, and young Miller was deprived of one of his ferocious right hooks by the intervention of a defender. It was real good, rugged stuff with plenty of incident, but goals were difficult to get, although Battles was near enough with a header from a cross by R Johnston. The centre was nearer still when he rattled one against the netting from just to the left of the penalty spot. It could not have been more than the breadth of a post to the wrong side. Off-side against Battles helped Tom Hamilton out of what looked like a tight corner, and then a free-kick just outside the penalty area against J Johnstone was taken by Marshall, who sent in a low drive to Harkness. The keeper smothered the shot in confident style. Battles popped in a couple of headers that were easy meat to Hamilton, but not withal the centre’s ability to get in touch with the keeper there was always the suspicion in my mind that Hearts were playing too much to their versatile leader. Muirhead and Marshall both looked pinches for a core from a cross by Archibald, but the former passed the ball on, and the latter waited too long and let Johnstone get his foot in the way. Just before the half-time whistle Hearts were penalised while engaged in a wholesale attack on Rangers’ goal. Hearts were still forcing the pace when the battle was resumed, and although Rangers improved, they were well held by Hearts’ defence. Then, ten minutes after the interval, all Edinburgh went mad. Murray was the hero of the hour by scoring an opportunistic goal. Johnston sent over a pretty cross, and Battles and Murray were up to contest the issue with Hamilton. The keeper fumbled and Murray sent the ball into the net. Ten minutes later and Edina’s joy knew no bounds. R Johnstone, who had fairly come out of his shell in this period sent over another of his best crosses, and this timer Miller took it with his right foot and guided it into the corner of the net. After this, despite an injury to Miller, Hearts continued to hold the upper hand. There was always apparent, however, the kick-to-touch for safety stunt about their play, and this more than once led them into trouble.
