Hodge 55
Match Information
Attendance: 4,000
Referee: Tom Robertson (Queen's Park)
Matchday: Friday
Match Trivia
A much faster and more vigorously contested game was witnessed last night at the Exhibition ground on the occasion of the replay of the Charity Cup tie between the Rangers and Celtic, than was the case in Thursday’s match between the same pair. The prospect of another drawn game was in itself an incentive to both teams to force the pace from the beginning in order to obviate the necessity for playing extra time, and the players let themselves go from the outset. There were changes on both sides, the cup-holders leaving out McPherson and Alex Smith, while the Celtic team underwent revision at half-back and forward, McArthur Loney, McMahon and Findlay being the absentees. McPherson and McArthur could not take the field on account of injuries sustained the preceding evening, and the other changes were due to the desire of the officials to introduce fresh players with the object of bringing about a decisive result. The Celts benefited most by the altered circumstances, for the introduction of such a strong player as Russell at centre-half, and the inclusion of George Livingstone of Sunderland at inside-left imparted an additional element of physical power into their play, which was reflected in the course of the game, and by the success which fell their way. Campbell and Quinn, the respective right-wingers, figured in their original positions on the left, and the forward game on both sides witnessed a decided improvement by comparison with the form demonstrated on Thursday. Close passing tactics were almost wholly discarded, the inside players swinging the ball to the wings, and the wings eschewing dribbling for cross onward passes. The game consequently was more interesting, and more open, and the defence on both sides got more critical work to do, and so very hard pressed were the backs at times that even on occasions when they had long shots to deal with, they had always to reason upon fast following up by the eager forwards. The Rangers forced the game at the start and for twenty minutes they seemed capable of retaining the trophy, the half-back lashing the ball more freely to the forwards, and paying less attention than usual to studied passing. Donnelly, Davidson and Battles however were as keen in defence, and the Celtic all over replied in their opponent’s attacks with vigour equally spirited. There was no scoring in the first half, although the shooting was good and opportunities fairly numerous. Before the interval it was apparent that the Celts would wear out their opponents for superior height, and greater strength was on their side, against which lightness in attack, and cleverness at half-back were almost bound sooner or later to be somewhat over shadowed. Hodge scored a clever goal after beating the back, the ball striking the upright and glancing through, some ten minutes after crossing over. For a time it looked as if they would score again, but the Rangers defence rose too the occasion and the result hung in the balance up till the close. The game was not free from temper. Indeed it could hardily be otherwise, for the keenness and determination of the players in their exertions to win at all hazards could not be concealed. Free kicks were numerous and ‘cautions’ from the referee, kept the more enthusiastic of the spectators lively. Davidson was a particular sinner and his play latterly suffered. Donnelly ably filled McArthur’s toes, and Battles played one of his finest games for the Celtic. All three half-backs were good, with Moir better than he was the evening before, Russell almost impassable and Moir showing his true form. There was not a weak spot forward. Quinn’s pluck against Nicol Smith was pronounced. Hodge kept Drummond and Dickie on edge, where Divers, Campbell and Livingstone kept the line in unison. The new comer excelled in side passing, and his inclusion distinctly improves the attack, which physically in not rivalled in League circles here. The Rangers defeat was due to their lightness forward. However clever their outfield play was when it came to close quarters, the Celtic rear lines were too strong for them. A goal loss was no disgrace for the ‘Light Blues’. A little luck early on in the game, when they were twice baffled by the posts, might have made all the difference in the result verifying Scottish Cup form. Dickie was brilliant in goal, Smith and Drummond powerful in defence. Neil was better suited by the nature of the game than his colleague Gibson and Robertson, and his play touched a high standard, especially in the first half. All three however were conspicuous for clever tackling. Campbell, Speedie and Graham were the most effective forwards, Hamilton created for himself some good openings, but between the attentions of Russell and Davidson, he did not get much rope. The play was of exceptional merit for a back end game.
