B McPhail 15, 75
Match Information
Attendance: 10,700
Referee: unknown - to be confirmed
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
I wish I had a quid for every time Ive seen Rangers look like being beaten only to win comfortably in the end. This was one of these kind of games. At times the Ibrox defenders were pressed back to the point of panic. With the cheers of the crowd singing in their ears, the Dumfries chappies juked here and there for an opening. Yet the patch of grass behind Jerry Dawson never once bore the imprint of his feet. Instead, the goals came at the other end. Bob McPhail got both, each a clever header. The first was from a Gillick cross, the second from a Main corner. Most of Queens fans felt Rangers were a bit lucky. On the face of it, they appeared justified. Queens had about 75 per cent of the play. But in a diagnosis the fact does not mean a thing. Rangers werent beaten for the simple reason that they have the most fool-proof mid-line and defence in the country. When McPhail finished a breakaway by heading home in fifteen minutes, Meiklejohn, Simpson and company got out the cement and dug themselves in. Oh yes! There were plenty of near things round Dawson, but not near enough to wreak the Ibrox machinery. We needed a schemer in the forward line, deplored a Dumfries man to me at the finish. What rubbish! That was Queens biggest fault? Cumming, English and McKay were all schemers. What was needed was a go-getter. A Bob McPhail, in fact. Big Bob is as good as ever. Those long, raking passes up the middle and to the wings were blessing messengers of relief to his colleagues behind. At the same time, the Ibrox forward line was a jerky improvised affair. Venters had a bad day. Drysdale merely courageous. Gillick was distinctly annoying in his uncertainty. Main was much brighter than of late. But Im still wondering if this was a real return to form, or the sequel to the amazing freedom he was allowed in the second half, when Queens were all out for the equaliser. McPhails second goal struck Dumfries like a wet towel. They had been boiling over in their enthusiasm for the equaliser. When this goal came, they looked like the diner who was complaining to the waiter about the size of his steak, and on turning around discovered that the cat had bolted with it. The whole team seemed to sag then. I couldnt blame them. They had done all they knew to beat Dawson. But they didnt know enough. Fotheringham amazed me with his agility and timing. OK there. Savage amazed me. No wonder Dumfries people put him forward for honours. He was the perfect full-back, and ahead of such renowned tacticians as Gray and McDonald. Culbert not so good. Main played ducks and drakes with him in the second half though something Ive to say about the wing halfs may prove his alibi. I know Im on dangerous ground here. It is obvious Dumfries fans have an affection for John Anderson and Ferguson that even Mae West cannot alienate. Both are expert, even brilliant ball workers. But the player who insists in working the ball when the ball is itching to do a bit of work for itself is just emptying his windbag and little else. Adam Allan saved them repeatedly. I thought W Anderson and McKay the best forwards. Sam English is steadily improving, though nothing like so incisive as of yore. Cumming was exasperating. As of Tulip, I certainly remember seeing him, but I cant, for the life of mee, remember the particular moment. By the way, Queens should have had a penalty kick just before Rangers first goal. Dawson let the ball squirm out of his hands. English made to kick it into the empty goal when Simpson appeared to attach himself to Sammy in a manner more affectionate than legitimate. This might have made a difference, but thats just speculation, and speculation where Rangers are concerned is a refined type of lunacy.
