Bennett
Match Information
Attendance: 40,000
Referee: James A. Faichnie (Falkirk)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
From record to record the Celtic continue their conquering career, and it is still within their power to add fresh lustre to their deeds by annexing the Glasgow Charity Cup. Following a second successive win in the Scottish Cup final, the previous week, the Celts made sure of the League championship on Saturday at Ibrox Park for the eight time in their career, and victory over the Rangers enabled them to equal the feat of the ‘Light Blues’ in 1902 with a fourth successive championship. In all competition this season the proud Celts have swept the board, for the Glasgow Cup was retained also for the second year, and the treble record feat is not likely to be beaten for many a year if at all. The Rangers have been under a cloud this season in their engagements with the Celts, who accounted for their eclipse in the cup-ties, and in the League, the Glasgow final requiring three games ere the rivals were separated. Only a goal divided the teams in any deciding game, and Saturday’s at Ibrox brought no change in the fortunes of the ‘Light Blues,’ who were not without hope of turning the tables to the advantage of Falkirk, and St Mirren, whose League games with the Celts – tonight at Falkirk, and on Thursday at Paisley – have been robbed of much of their charm. There was just that gaol of difference between the teams on Saturday, and victory was secured by the Celts in circumstance that handicapped them not a little. Quinn sprung a thick muscle after twenty-five minutes, and was unable thereafter to raise a gallop. A similar mishap also befell Hamilton in the first half, but a plaster applied at halftime enabled him to overcome physical discomforts, and redeem his earlier display by some sparkling tactics in the last half-hour. As in the international, McNair’s old wound asserted itself in his first bout against the lively Ibrox left pair, and his play suffered. 40,000 spectators watched the encounter which was as interesting and strenuous as most of the matches between the pair this season. The ‘easterly’ cold wind was occasionally a disconcerting influence and a blinding sun further handicapped the players, but each side stove vigorously and manfully to prevail. The Rangers introduced their latest recruit James Sharp of Woolwich Arsenal, and the presence of the International back gave the wind-up an éclat reflected by the huge public interest aroused in the struggle. Sharp’s strong powerful play, gave sedulity and confidence to the home defence, which was seldom been seed to more advantage this season. He gained in reputation too, by his sportsmanlike conduct towards Quinn, who preferred to help his club – feeble though, the aid and was – by trying to put in an occasional kick, rather than retire to the pavilion. In attack the Rangers were not so deadly as their opponents. Campbell was at his best in the first half, and if persevered with he looks able to prove a useful centre. He flung his weight about freely, and was unlucky once not to score. But lost scoring chances were numerous on both sides, the Celts in the last twenty minutes doing everything but capping their brilliant outfield work. Bennett, who was in the centre after Quinn breakdown, was the most artistic mover a field, and on the fast ground to his liking he showed a dash and fearlessness uncommon to him. He scored the only goal ten minutes from the interval, by a splendid dashing movement between the backs, and repeated the runs later in the game, but shot wretchedly. Not a man failed the ground team in defence. Law worked with spirit and energy, and looks likely to turn out well. Taylor too showed a nice turn of speed at centre-half, and his weight to recommend him. He seems ripe for a regular place in the team. Forward Alex Smith and Livingstone combined delightfully. They monopolised the attacks against the Celts, and while their play was beyond reproach, it might have paid the Rangers better had the younger forwards on the right got more to do. The Celts were strong in the rear, McNair alone failing to touch his usual form. Weir, Loney, Hay and Young never spared themselves, and forward Bennett, McMenemy and Somers were most consistence
