F Speedie
Wilkie
McOustra
Campbell pen <45
Match Information
Attendance: 40,000
Referee: Mr J Baillie (St Bernard's Ath')
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
Sunshine at midday dispelled the gloom and depression of morning fog on Saturday, but the afternoon was typical of the fleeting days of autumn. The sky changed from grey to black and heavy rain-charged clouds hung like a pall over the heads of the 40,000 spectators assembled at Ibrox Park to witness the first classic contest of the Association season in Scotland. Since 1896 the Rangers and Celtic have met annually in the Glasgow Cup ties, and on each occasion more than one game was necessary to separate the pair. The tradition of recent years was verified by the result of Saturdays final tie for possession of the handsome challenge trophy of the Glasgow FA for the inevitable draw occurred after one of the most exhilarating and most determined struggle ever witnessed between the great rivals of the West. Instances might be cited where more flashy forward play was demonstrated by the Rangers in a Celtic match, but for earnest all round movement and play was wont to be a feature of Celtic football. Combinations like Reynolds and Doyle, Meechan and Doyle, and Storrier and Battles gave the club a reputation for excellent at back not eclipsed by any Scottish eleven over the period those players sported Celtic colours. Rousing back play against forwards of the skill and physique of Campbell, McMahon and Livingstone always appeals to the lookers on. Walter Arnott, the once peerless International Queens Park back, and another famous partner of his in National games in the person of Dan Doyle, were eye-witnesses to the sterling exhibition given by John Drummond and Nicol Smith in Saturdays game against the Celtic, and they must have been impressed with what they saw. The display of the Rangers couple, and the sustained brilliancy of Campbell and McMahon right through the trying struggle appeared to me to be the outstanding features of the tie. And while the Rangers were strong at back, the Celts pair were erratic and moderate by comparison. Davidson who cut such a notable figure in the 3rd Lanark match recently, for he could not kick decently, and seemed to be influenced adversely by the excitement of the play. Watson, his partner was better in his returns, but he by no means responded to his reputation. His coolness in heading the ball forward against eager forwards rushing to anticipate him was the salient point about his game. No cooperation existed between the Celtic backs however, and when pressed hotly, they were recklessly courageous in their clearances. Early in the game which was fast and open on till the end, the Rangers appeared to have the cup at their mercy for they got a couple of soft looking goals within fifteen minutes. The outfield work leading up to both points was very clever, but fluky open defence and weakness on McFarlanes part contributed to their dual success. Speedie took the first goal, a rather feeble shot, which McFarlane misjudged. Similar flurry on the part of the Celtic defence and collected movements by Hamilton and Wilkie gave the latter an exposed goal and on went a second point against the dismayed Celts. A thorough awakening was perceptible in the subsequent play of the League leaders and Moir shot into Dickie without result. The Rangers were vigorous in their tactics and playing to the top of their form. With the opening the Celtic forwards secured in the first half-hour they would have repeated their Exhibition figures. Success at length crowned the bold efforts of the seemingly defeated but persevering Celts. Quinn tricked Smith and sent along a dropping cross shot which McQustra headed past the vigilant Dickie. It was the best goal of the match and inspired confidence into his team. Momentarily the Rangers staggered under the unexpected reverse, but the pace was maintained by both sides at a terrific rate. The Parkhead left-winger, who was getting every chance from McMahon, was the means was the means of the equalising goal. Quinn shot in, Dickie parried, and McQustra headed in and the Rangers goalkeeper was beaten. The ball however, came out again, was sent in, struck the bar. As it dropped into play Nicol Smith fisted it out, and the inevitable penalty-kick followed. Campbell with a left-footer made the scores equal. Penalty-kicks usually cause considerable dissatisfaction to players and spectators, but on this occasion scarcely a murmur was raised. Apart from Smiths hearty action it was obvious to those in a position to see that a goal had been scored prior to it, and that the Rangers goalkeeper admitted such to be the place, although the point escaped the notice of the referee, who justly gave the defending club the benefit of the doubt, when he was not in a position to notice what had occurred. Crossing over with the score level, the teams buckled to, and the same fierce pace was maintained. The Rangers began with most dash and the Celtic staggered under the attack. But what the one team could do the other also seemed capable of attaining, so thoroughly trained were they. The first corner of the game came the way of the Rangers half an hour from the close, and a second followed. Fifteen minutes later, Moir in attempting to stop Alex Smith, overreached himself, and the game was temporarily stopped to the evident relief of the players. The accident derived him of his running powers, but he stayed on the field. Livingstone dropped into half-back and Moir stood on the line at outside right with McQustra inside, but he was of no use to his team. Each side strove hard for the winning point. The best chance fell the way of Speedie, but he missed the opening, and the game finished in a draw of 2 goals each after a ten minutes revival on the part of the Celts, who were he fresher lot at the close. A draw was a satisfactory ending to a game that was brimful of exciting incidents. In pulling level against a handicap of two goals the Celts accomplished no mean performance, for the Rangers always do best in those matches on their own ground at Ibrox. The Rangers did not touch their usual form at half-back, largely on account of Gibson being so often beaten. Moir was the smartest of the six with Neil and Marshall about equal. Forwards the Celts were more combined in attack, and stronger inside. Campbell and McMahon have rarely worked harder or to such purpose. The latter was the finest forwards a-field and both he and Livingstone gave Quinn and McQustra every chance. The left-winger was clever all through, but McQustra was only prominent during the first half, which was the best part of the game. On the Rangers side the attack was mainly led from the wings. They seemed to be working on a system, depending on the inside forwards and half-backs to pass the ball forward to Hamilton and Robertson for snap runs for goal. Jacky Robertson reappeared after a lengthy absence. His touches at outside right forward were cleverly executed, but his style was more half-back than forward. He got ain a few good shots, however and passed judiciously back when pressed. Wilkie like Gibson was affected by a mishap at Edinburgh the previous week, yet Davidson discomfiture was brought about by his attentions. Speedie was the outstanding figure among the five, and his passes over the head of the half-back on to Smith were perfect in their execution. Smith was full of running, but was well held by Moir, who played his best game for the Celts. Rangers awarded the cup as Celtic refused to play the replay at Ibrox
