J Smith 49
Murphy 51
Crum 75
Match Information
Attendance: 72,000
Referee: unknown - to be confirmed
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
We heard the worlds record gasp at Ibrox yesterday. It was about a fifty-fifty blend of Celtic joy and Rangers disgust. Kennaway caused it by saving a Meiklejohn penalty-kick in the fifth minute from time. Talk about drama! Seventy-five thousand hearts stopped beating when the Rangers skipper hit the ball hard and low from the spot. Kennaway flashed out his right hand; the ball struck it knee-high and skidded to safety. Everybody said O-o-ooh! and the Ibrox bogey slunk off in despair, leaving Celtic to their 2-1 triumph. Let me say plainly that Celtic were worthy of their victory. They were better balanced and sounder in the wing half and forward departments than their ancient rivals. Barring a tendency to over -collaboration on the part of Delaney and a regrettable lapse by Kennaway (of which more anon) which led to the palpitating penalty situation already mentioned, none of the Parkhead fellows earned bad marks. Geatons, Lyon and Paterson deserve a big share of credit for the win. The right half began superbly, and improved as the game went on. Lyon played a sound if unspectacular game, shadowing Smith faithfully and well, and butting in to stop a gap when occasion demanded. Patersons tackling and placing were crisp and incisive. The Celtic forward five keep keen, fast and clever. There was little to choose between the wings, both of which brought sparkle and speed to their work. Crum had quite a good day, though he lacks McGrorys prowess with the napper. Rangers readjustments did not come off. Neither Gillick nor Brown quite filled the bill in the inside-forward berths, and Smith, as a result, suffered from lack of his accustomed service. Meiklejohn and Winning did not grade up in power and pep with their opposite numbers in the Celtic midline, though the Ibrox skipper provided several of his characteristic judicious touches. Simpson worked like several navvies rolled into one. He had do. Gray and McDonald did all that could be asked of them, and Dawson had practically no chance with the balls that beat him. A goalless first half did nothing to ease the tension of the game. Play fizzed and sparkled in a series of fast, clean-cut movements nice stuff to watch, but lacking the dynamic touch. One felt that both teams were holding something in reserve, yet it was evident that Celtic were settling to an understanding and grip of the game much more readily that the Light Blues. The thrills began right at the restart, when Smith connected with a free kick by Meiklejohn and slammed the ball into Kennaways hands. The Rangers centre got another chance two minutes later and took it. Over from the right came the ball, and Smith, standing about ten yards out, drove a fast, curling shot into the net. Celts were not long in restoring the status quo. Making ground on the right, they forced a corner, and Delaneys flag-kick came straight to Murphys head, to be thudded like a flash into the corner of the goal. Play became fast and edgy now. Kennaway and Dawson in turn were called on to step lively. Celtic launched one sustained assault in which McDonald, Delaney and Lyon all had a try. Then Rangers stormed back, and Brown tested Kennaway with a swerving hook-shot over his shoulder. Ten minutes from time, Paterson began a movement which brought the victory goal. His pass to McDonald was sent on to Buchan, who lifted the ball accurately to where Crum was waiting between the Rangers backs. A half-turn, and the Celtic centre was through to tap the ball past Dawson. While the long yell was still ringing from the green-bannered terraces, Rangers swept down on Kennaway, but Gillick and Brown in turn shot wide of the mark. Then, with five minutes to go, Kennaway staged the penalty drama. Grabbing the ball in the face of a Rangers raid, the Celtic keeper withstood a charge by Smith, and as Meiklejohn came at him, swung a fist un unorthodox style. The pea dirled in Referee Huttons whistle. The finger of Referee Hutton pointed to the ominous spot. In the hush as Meiklejohn advanced to take the kick one might have heard a feather drop. Two seconds later came the GASP!. In the remaining few minutes, Rangers had two chances to save the day. Roberts, from a Smith pass, but in bustled Lyon and Hogg aside and shot wide. Meiklejohn sent Main away, but the winger hesitated and was robbed. And in the last minute Geatons, with a swarm of Light Blues about him, passed back to Kennaway two yards from the goal-line. Thats how sure the Celts felt that the bogey had gone. Meiklejohn missed 85th minute penalty
