Barker 30
N Kerr 53
J McPherson 57
McMahon 89
Match Information
Manager: No Permanent Manager
Attendance: 10,000
Referee: Mr Hay (Dumfries)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
The final tie for the Glasgow Association Cup was played at Cathkin Park, the contestants being Celtic and Rangers. The day was mild, and except for a slight drizzle during the progress of the match, the weather conditions were favourable, and the ground of the Volunteers was probably in better condition than that of any other club in the City. The Celtic were the first to appear, led bon by Kelly, and a minute afterwards the Rangers appeared, headed by Mitchell, both teams being heartily received. Punctually at 3.30 Kelly won the toss for the Celtic, and Kerr kicked off for the Rangers towards the southern goal. After some midfield play a pas by Kelly transferred play into the Rangers quarters, but a foul against Madden brought relief to the Ibrox men. Even play followed till a slip by Reynolds allowed Barker and McPherson to make some progress. Some long kicking by the backs characterised the opening passages, till at length Towie got dangerously near goal, Drummond just kicking out in time. A run by the Rangers forwards created intense excitement, which was renewed by Barker shot right into goal. However Cullen saved. This strong bit of play by the Rangers was followed by a run by the Celts. Mitchell and Towie had a determined tussle, but the Rangers at last got the ball away. It was returned however and McMahon headed the ball harmlessly past. Determined as ever the Rangers once more made off, when McPherson outran Reynolds but Doyle came to the rescue, tackling magnificently, and once more the play was in the Rangers territory. A foul against the Celts came to nothing, and the Irishmen forced the first corner of the game. Campbell took the kick, and McMahon adroitly tried to head the ball through, but failed. Some capital passing on the part of the Rangers was deservedly cheered and for a time at least the Celtic goal was in peril. A foul for a push was given against the Rangers. Maley pasted to Kelly, who just missed scoring, the ball going over the bar. Another corner fell to the Celts, but nothing came of it, and the Rangers once more led the attack, but to no purpose, as Doyle was defending splendidly. The Rangers were playing in grand form, passing along the ball as they had seldom done this year, while the defence was excellent, Mitchell in particular tackling fearlessly and well, and putting in a power of work for his side. A third corner fell to the Celts, but Campbell placed it badly. The play so far was very equal, neither side having much advantage, although the Rangers were fairly surprising their supporters by the dash and combination which was shown. A foul against Mitchell was futile, and once more the Rangers were at the other end, where they gave the opposing defence some anxiety. The Celts soon transferred the scene of operations, and when they were dangerously near scoring, Hay came to the rescue, and by a bit of most determined tackling relieved the pressure, amidst loud cheers, which were renewed again and again. Barker with a long shot, almost scored, the ball just going over the crossbar. Barker passed to Kerr, who amidst much excitement nearly scored the ball passing the goal by a few inches. At this stage the Rangers were having nearly all the play, and if they did not get a goal they certainly deserved one. The Celts were fairly hemmed in, and were making very little progress against the stubborn defence of their opponenets, Marshall and Drummond in particular being conspicuous for resolute tackling. Willie Maley, by a fine pass, gave his team a clear chance of scoring, but Campbell failed to get up in time. On the other hand, the Rangers missed a chance by hanging too long on the ball. At length, after half an hour play a tremendous shout announced that the Rangers had scored the first goal of the match, beating Cullen with a long shot. The enthusiasm of the Rangers supporters knew no bounds, and the team responded nobly to the shouts of the crowd. The Celts however were not done with, and a shot by Kelly was just got rid of in time by Haddow fisting the ball away. As the excitement increased the players seemed to get upset a bit, and there were now some doubtful tactics brought into play. It was all the more to be regretted, as the play had been excellent up to this point, and was full of interesting tussles. At halftime the Rangers were leading by one goal to nil. The game was expected to be a very hard one in the second half. The Celts led the attack, but only for a moment, as the Rangers settled down to their play and were aided by a foul from which no advantage occurred. The Celts kept determinedly at it, their play being characterised by some beautiful passing. They were showing too much greater advantage than they did in the first half, but they were being carefully watched. After eight minutes play the Rangers from a combined attack, gained the second goal amidst cheering, Kerr cleverly heading the ball through. During this attack it is but fair to say that had it not been for the splendid work of Doyle and Reynolds the Rangers would have had more goals to their credit. The Rangers were now confident of success, and all over were playing a wining game, blocking the Celts at every turn. At times the Celts had exceedingly hard lines, as they kept up a continuous pressure, but were most unfortunate in front of goal. Haddow did some clever things, and time after time he saved his goal from downfall. Doyle inadvertently conceded a corner, which almost resulted in another goal doe the Celts, Barker shooting a little high. The Celts came away again, and nearly scored, McMahon failing to head the ball through by a few inches. Another corner fell to the Celts, but still they could not get the ball through, experiencing very hard lines at this stage. From a corner kick the Rangers very nearly headed the ball through. A foul in front of the Rangers goal looked dangerous, but the Rangers once more cleared their lines, and it now looked, with only a quarter of an hour to go as if they would win easily. The Celtic attacked very determinedly towards the close, but although they hard determined play, they could obtain an opening in the Rangers defence – Hay, Drummond and Haddow defending excellently. About five minutes from time McPherson scored the third goal for the Rangers amidst deafening shouting. It was an easy goal, and Cullen was far out of it. Just as the whistle blew McMahon headed the first and only goal for the Celts. A hard and at times brilliant game ended – Rangers 3 goals: Celtic 1 goal.
