Wilkie 45
Hodge
Match Information
Attendance: 10,000
Referee: Mr James Baillie (Edinburgh)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
The meeting of these great rivals in the final of the Glasgow Cup competition, notwithstanding the stormy weather and increased tariff, brought out a crowd of 10,000 to Cathkin Park on Saturday. The game was contested in magnificent fashion by both sides, and proved the most interesting match of the season so far. The ground considering the recent heavy rain, and in fair order, though a trifle soft, and the play was of such a high class as is seldom seen under such circumstances. Celtic were forced to leave out Turnbull owing to sickness, Welford taking his place. The Celtic won the toss and booked the aid of a gusty southwesterly wind, which blew diagonally across the pitch, and it was early evident that the struggle would be a memorable one. The methods of the rival front lines were very different, but if the movements of the Celtic five were prettier to the eye, those of the Rangers took them quicker into their opponent’s territory. From a miss by Drummond, Hodge very nearly scored in the first two minutes, only a clever save on the part of Dickie keeping the Rangers goal intact, while ere the danger was averted Bell had a great shot, which unfortunately for the Celts, went over Dickie’s goal bar. The Rangers were not long in making their presence felt, Graham getting off, but Storrier tripping him, the ball was sent past from the free kick. Hamilton was evidently finding Russell a bit too resolute for him, as with the Celtic centre half in close attendance he sent past very wide of the mark. At this stage Campbell the Celtic centre, put in some beautiful dribbling and passing, and led his men in that style which earned him such praise when the Aston Villa, but the work was cut too fine, and the Rangers backs cleared at critical moments. Offside against Hodge on the one side and McPherson on the other stopped likely opportunities, and then A Smith got off, closely pursued by Battles, but his final effort just missed by inches. Another slip by Drummond looked bad for the Rangers but Campbell was blocked close on Dickie by N Smith. The play was ruled fast and furious, first Dickie and then McArthur stopped well-meant and rapidly planned attempts. The Celtic during this half displayed all that cleverness for which their forwards have ever been famed, and nothing could be finer than the understanding between McMahon, Bell and Orr, the supporting halfback. The spectators seemed to enjoy the contest immensely, and the brilliance of the Celtic forwards was only equalled by the doggedness of the Rangers defence, Graham showed splendid speed, but his centres left something to be desired many efforts going harmlessly past. Hodge cleverly eluded both Robertson and Drummond, and banged across a fine centre to McMahon was very nearly turned to account by McMahon, the ball grazing the cross bar. Nearing halftime play slowed a bit the Rangers having a greater share of the play, but the interval was reached without either team scoring. On the resumption play was rather quiet, the first real attempt coming from the Celts, but the Rangers with rapid long passing got down, Graham twice sending past. More warmth and a little roughness was shown thereafter, but the referee showed his disapproval by penalising both sides, and interest thereafter centred in the in the exciting bouts – and there were many – between N Smith and Bell and Welford and A Smith, which kept the spectators on tenterhooks. At this stage McPherson put in a beautiful bit of slipping and dribbling, but weakness on the part of the right wing nullified his fine efforts. This was followed by spirited attacks by the Celts, Smith revealing much of his best form in repelling them, and then McArthur and Storrier between them baulked the Rangers of great chances. Then a change came over the game, a free kick being awarded against the Celts for rather a mild offence by Orr, and from the free kick Wilkie, Standing almost against McArthur headed through, and the referee awarded a goal to the Rangers, amid the strong protest of the Celtic players. It now looked all over with the Celtic, but they pluckily piled their opponents, and had the satisfaction of equalising through Hodge in a scrimmage after free kick against Neil, the result being a draw - 1 goal each. The balance of power undoubtedly lay with the Celtic in the first half, while the Rangers held the advantage in the second moiety. It was fitting termination to a great struggle. The teams will meet again on Saturday first. Drawings – Gate £432 14s 6d; stands £85 – total £517 14s 6d.
