Dr Marshall 66
A Thomson 67
Match Information
Attendance: 80,000
Referee: A.H. Leishman (Falkirk)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
Once again it is the old story of the outsider of Glasgow’s old firm coming up with glorious victory. The Celtic team, despised because of its many changes from last season, came to Ibrox with grim determination written all over them, and with a fixed policy all mapped out, blotted out their much-more-fancied opponents. Had Celtic been riding the high horse, no doubt the result would have been the opposite, and all we can say is that Rangers deserved their drubbing, and that the team with the fixed policy and the go-ahead methods carried the day. Rangers disappointed their supporters badly, and right away started throwing away those little chances that mean so much in a Cup-tie. Add to that the fact that the forwards line was dead off the mark in its shooting, and three half-backs all endeavouring to do the fancy stuff and failing to carry it off, and you get an idea of the unbalanced sort of team that did duty for the Blues. Celtic on the other hand, knew the value of the gifts that fell their way, and with the forwards making rapier movements towards Hamilton, and the defence blocking all roads to goal, it is no wonder that Rangers failed. A Ranger may retort to the above by saying that Rangers made nearly all the play. I admit it. But they were only allowed to do so when they kept out of Thomson’s way. Whatever a dangerous move started the Celts covered up, played but two or three forwards, and kept the enemy at bay. In that formation Thomson seemed impregnable, and little more than a fluke could have brought out a goal. Still after a goalless first half – Celtic had had the nearest approach to a score in this period – Rangers took the lead half way through the second, and to everybody that seemed to end. Rangers undoubtedly thought so, but before they got over their jubilation a misfortune occurred, and they were level again. It was a mistake on Gray’s part turning a ball in on his own goal, but it was unfortune it should have been the Aberdeen lad who did it, for he was one of the few ‘Light Blues who plated up to form. Celtic took heart at this, and with the Rangers’ defence well spread, McGrory waltzed in and delivered a crasher against the bar, and the goal stotted in over the line. I heard the goal criticised after the match, but I say that the referee was right – and he was in a position to see. After that we had the old panicky Rangers doing their best to score and making a mess of it. It is no use mincing words. Their final assault to save the game lacked penetration and thrust. The Celtic defence have every reason to congratulate themselves on carrying the side to victory. The forwards were no great shakes, and quite unable to carry out a sustained attack. In fact, they did not try it. Thomson has only to continue like this to be the keeper of the season, and with the brothers McStay still continuing their wonderful safety partnership, nothing need worry Celtic unduly, for the forwards are bound to improve with experience. It will be a lesson to Rangers never to take anything for granted. For Celtic it will be an incentive to go on and do bigger things. All over, however, it was a sporting game, with the Cup-tie element always to the fore. Celtic had the first run, but nervousness spoiled Gray, and from the by-kick Cunningham put Marshall right for goal, Thomson getting down nicely to Marshall’s grounder. Celtic were full of life, however, and McMenemy was near with a real scorcher. Still, Rangers were more dangerous, and a Cunningham full belt was blocked just in time. Archibald twice tricked McGonnigle smartly, but Celts cleared both the crosses. Gray from near the centre-line gave Thomson a hot one to hold, but the keeper was not to be tricked in that way. While it was in the main a case of Rangers attacking Celtic had danger written all over their moves towards Hamilton, and after Muirhead had failed to carry off some fancy stuff McFarlane rattled one in from the corner of the box, and Hamilton pulled the bar down to let it slip over. McGrory had two plucky tried before Rangers had their next innings. Marshall manoeuvred a corner, and Celtic had a gruelling time before the lines were cleared. The first real sensation came with a Cunningham shot which Thomson failed to get away, the ball bobbing about a keeperless goal before going foe a corner. After this left-off we had some more action from the new-found Celtic attack, and palatable it was to the green-and-white following. Gray forced a corner in true veteran fashion, and McMenemy tricked his way in twice. Andy turned the tide with his wonderful leading-out work, but it led to nothing because Rangers’ shooting was off. More footery work by the Rangers’ half-back led to McMenemy putting in an innocuous-looking effort that almost had Hamilton guessing. The keeper fell on it just in the nick of time. Rangers tried all they could after this. Archibald forced a corner, and then shot past. McPhail sent over a tricky lob able manner. Cunningham could do everything but score. He diddled the defence time and again in the penalty area, but his parting effort was a good chunk off the mark. Rangers were early pressing in the second half, but McCallum had the more dangerous try for Celtic with a square cross. After this Celtic again took up their impregnable attitude and this rattled the Rangers no end, and Meiklejohn handled in preference to letting McGrory get a clear run in. Never had Celtic a better chance of getting on the lead when Hamilton fisted out to McCallum, who hesitated and then shot over a tenantless goal. Rangers’ hopes were raised when Marshall turned in one that screwed from the foot of McPhail. Seventeen minutes after the restart, Rangers found themselves on the lead. A minute later they were again level-pegging. The quick-firing happened in this way. Morton sprinted up the wing, centred accurately, and Marshall got there before Thomson and headed it home. Celtic retaliation came from the centre-kick. Thomson shot in and Gray in an endeavour to get out of the way and let it go past got his back in the way and deflected it into the net. Eight minutes more, and Celts had taken the lead, McGrory battled through and hit the underside of the bar. Hamilton got it on the rebound, but the ball was over the line – no doubt about it. McPhail putting all he had into a smashing right was injured in a great Rangers’ offensive. Archibald struck the outside of the rigging from a free-kick. A Morton lob was cleared by Thomson for a corner. Still, it was no use. Rangers could make no impression on Thomson and company. That Rangers could do no right was exemplified when Morton failed to gather when right in on Thomson. I can say nothing but praise for the Celtic defence. From Thomson out each man knew his job and struck to it for the whole ninety minutes. Thomson was top class in goal, and McGonnigle, though tricked easily in the opening minutes by Archibald, came on strongly, and kicked as coolly and clean as partner Willie McStay. Wilson, I have rarely seen to such advantage. He positively bottled the Rangers’ left wing, and Alan Morton was not in possession half a dozen times in the first half. Jimmy McStay also played a storm of a game and gave Marshall no rope whatever. McFarlane had a sterner task on the other wing, but he came through with flying colours. This was a great line, indulging mainly in spoiling tactics, but always ultra efficient. The forwards did not make much show. Gray and McCallum occasionally gave glimpse of promise, but they were not too well supported, for their inside men were too far back assisting the defence half the time. McGrory proved the match winner with his goal, but he too suffered from lack of catering. Thomson was the Celtic star in front. He carried the game into the enemy’s country, and his goal was the result of a dashing solo move. McMenemy hardly gave of his best, but he linked up well with Thomson and added to that players efficiency. Hamilton cannot be blames for either of the goals scored against him for both were deflected shots – one off a player and the other off the bar, but he was nearly caught with McMenemy’s low drive in the first half. Neither can one blame Gray nor R Hamilton. They kicked and tackled well. None of the half-backs played up to form. Meiklejohn was perhaps the best, but he compared unfavourably with McStay. Craig was often in two minds, and his play lacked finish. Muirhead attempted to purvey the fancy, and forgot he was in a 100 per cent Cup-tie. Cunningham was the No 1 man in front, but he must have had his boots on his wrong feet, for his shots invariably slithered away. His leading-out play, however, excelled anything else attempted in this line. Archibald was a first-half performer, and McPhail never really appeared at home. Marshall was over shadowed by McStay, and but for his goal did little. Morton had little chance in the first half, but in the second period he did his utmost to turn the tide, and it was his cross that brought out the goal. He was the best to fight the losing battle.
