Divers 30, 44
Match Information
Manager: No Permanent Manager
Attendance: 20,000
Referee: T Lamb (St Bernard's Ath)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
The final tie for the possession of the Glasgow Cup took place on Cathkin Park, the ground of the Third Lanark, the competitors being the Rangers and the Celtic. The match had been looked forward to with considerable interest, and despite the unfavourable weather there was a large crowd, the gate money showing that close on 20,000 persons were present. The Rangers played the team that was originally chosen, but Blessington was absent from the Celtic, and Campbell took his place. The Rangers lost the toss, and the Celts took the advantage of playing with the wind. Play was confined for a considerable time to midfield, and the Rangers were the first to demonstrate their ability, causing Doyle and Dunbar some anxiety. They succeeded however in clearing their lines, and then the Celts settling down to their own style of play compelled the Rangers to act entirely on the defensive. Cassidy and Divers were prominent in their attack, and from a throw in by Willie Maley the saving and tackling powers of Drummond and Smith were severely tested. McMahon by a cute move very nearly scored, the ball just passing the post. The excitement rose to an extraordinary pitch as Hugh McCreadie made off at a sharp pace, Doyle who was in fine form, a goal would in all probability have been scored. Against the wind the Rangers were making a highly creditable display both in attack and defence. The Celts how it was plainly evident, were in capital form, and a grand shot by Campbell was as grandly saved by Haddow. The play was indeed very evenly divided and probably a faster or more exciting final has seldom, if ever been witnessed. The pressure at the Rangers goal had been no sooner relieved than the Rangers dashed off at a great pace, and fairly bombarding the Celts goal, the ball it was thought, had been rushed through. McArthur however picked up the ball from the very feet of several forwards, and amid tremendous excitement, the goal was cleared. The Rangers however stuck tenaciously to their work, and McArthur saved a quick shot by jumping up and fisting the ball away. The play was really good for a final, at all times exciting, and it was evident that the teams were in capital condition for such an important event. If Celtic goal was in jeopardy a minute or two previously, the Rangers was in a similar predicament a few minutes later. Haddow was rushed through the goal, but the ball went over the bar. The referee awarded a fee kick to the Celts right in front of the Rangers goal. Doyle, who took the kick, was instrumental in taking the first goal for the Celts after thirty minutes play. The Rangers protested that the ball had been through before it touched anybody, but the referee allowed the goal, and the game proceeded as briskly as ever. It was a grand display of stammer, strength and clever all-round play, and the spectators had really nothing to complain about. Just as halftime was drawing to a close the Celtic forwards came away in a body, and the ball being passed from the right to the left across the goal-mouth, Divers banged it through, and scored the second goal amidst hearty applause from the supporters. Two goals to the good was certainly a big lead, but not too much considering that they were laying with a strong wind in their favour. Sometimes the Rangers had pretty hard lines in front of goal, and with ordinary luck they might have scored at least on one occasion. At halftime the Celts led by two goals to nil. When the second half commenced there must have been about 20,000 person present. There was a break-in, but the police and officals succeeded in urging the crowd not to interfere with the ground of play. The Rangers came away with a dash, having evidently made up their minds to try every move to score, shooting at every available opportunity. It was evident that the wind had been of some advantage to the Celts in the first half, as the Rangers who were now playing with it, simply bombarded their opponents goal, which was time after time saved in splendid fashion by McArthur, who certainly made a name for himself on Saturday’s play. Once when hustled by two or three Rangers forwards, and when the ball was about to go through, he fisted out strongly and in the most determined fashion. The game was certainly the hardest witnessed this season, and considering the issues at stake was wonderfully free from questionable tactics. So far the Rangers had decidedly the best of the half, the Celtic forwards seldom being able to get over the centre line. Young Smith unfortunately, met with an accident to his head, and had to leave the field, but as McMahon did not come out at halftime this left the sides equal with ten men each. Smith reappeared, but the Celts were without McMahon, and as they had corner kicks from the Rangers his headwork was badly missed. The play all through had been of the most arduous description, and it plainly had its effect on the men who were pretty much done up, and some of them met with slight accidents not however, due to rough play. The Celtic defence all round was exceptionally steady, and this to a great extent accounted for their success. Had it ever faltered the probability is that the Rangers would have got on an equal footing, for playing with ten men in the second half – McMahon being unable to appear owing to an injured knee – was unquestionably is heavy handicap. Although several of the men on either side were pliable done up, they never for a moment gave in, and all over it was a wonderfully fine display of stamina and pluck. This much might be said that the Rangers were not playing with their usual effectiveness in front of goal. Right on to the close the game was keenly contested, the Rangers pressing desperately hard, and almost scoring. Time however was called and the result was – Celtic 2 goals: Rangers 0. There was a scene of great enthusiasm at the close, several of the players being carried to the pavilion.
