A Smith 11
A Bennett 25
W Reid 30
Johnstone 52
Match Information
Attendance: 66,000
Referee: J.T. Ibbotson (Derby)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
I saw the Rangers when they opposed Cambuslang and were beaten in the first final of the Glasgow Cup on the ground now tenanted by Third Lanark, and I witnessed their triumph on Saturday in the latest final on the Queen’s Park enclosure over the club which sprang into existence that year of Cambusling’s greatness. The expansion of public interest in football in Scotland dates from the start of the Celtic, who have been the strongest rivals the ‘Light Blues’ have had in 24 years. The Rangers have a more scientific team now than they had in those far-off Kinning Park days, and it was no fault of their that this latest struggle for the cup honours of Glasgow did not equal for thrilling strenuous play the fierce contest witnessed on the same ground last season. To the lead which the Rangers set after the opening ten minutes on Saturday the Celts could not respond in the first half, and it was only after the retirement of Galt eight minutes from the interval that they began to play something like the standard they set in final ties in recent years. The stalwart Ranger was a tower of strength to his team up to the time he sprung an ankle tendon, and after he was borne off the field by the ambulance men the Rangers’ captain drew Gordon into half-back, and for the rest of the game they played a man short. Against the wind and with a blazing sun in their eyes the Rangers delighted the crowd with the pace they set and the boldness with which they went into the contest. The half-backs kept lashing the ball on to the forwards, and the dash of Smith, Bennett and Reid in catching up the ball and going through an exposed defence led to Smith scoring with an angular shot after eleven minutes. Following this Bennett got a second goal with a straight drive from twenty yards out when the game was 25 minutes old, and to complete the discomfiture of the Celtic, Reid again found the Parkhead defence exposed, and promptly whipped on a third goal five minutes later. The unlooked for rapidity in the scoring, and the ease with which the Rangers got through the Celtic lines sent their supporters delirious with joy. It was a new experience for the Celts to by three goals down at the interval, but they put a stout heart to a thorny path, and displayed something like their old form in the second half, when they had the best of the play. Some men on the side, however, were a bit too reckless, and the defects in their inside game were also contributory causes for their defeat. Not a few unpleasant incidents occurred, and in the result the Rangers were the chief victims. Johnstone headed a goal for the Celts when the second half was seven minutes gone, and after that although they had a few likely openings, they could make nothing of them, although Quinn made the best of his chances with several rocket drives which just missed the mark. It was a hard, punishing struggle all the way, but in their most dangerous raids the Celts never once found the Rangers defence in difficulties. When at full strength the Rangers outpointed the Celts in effective play. Not a man failed them, and the back and half-back division were steady as a rock. Forward, their wide, open passing baffled the Celtic half-backs and for a time, and dash and skill forward did the rest. The game was won by a thoroughly well trained team in the first half-hour, and they derived every encouragement by the unexpected success which came their way so early in a game where much was at stake. Lock was daring and safe in all he did. Andrew Richmond was the most consistent back on the field, and worthily earned his first senior badge. At his best in the second half, Hay on the other side displayed more power and resource, but Richmond’s game was impressive. Emboldened by the good play of the others, Law came out of his shell latterly, and touched his best form when the Celts were most dangerous late in the game and most desperate to score. The half-back play was better all through on the winning side. Most of the time the Rangers’ three discarded placing for checking and lashing the ball on, but when in an open position they inaugurated many fine movements with the men in front. Chapman’s heading and checkmating were features of his display, and Galt, Hendry and Gordon in turn revealed their best form of the season. To the work of this division the Rangers owed much for their success. Bennett was first to steady the forwards, and in conjunction with Alex Smith, he began the process which led to the undoing of the Celtic. Even when Gordon was drawn back, the Rangers never lost their combination, and Hogg and Reid seemed to have a perfect understanding. Bennett and Smith were the most skilful in the line, but dash and keenness were not a wanting in any one of them. All proved opportunists. All the Celtic best form was reserved for the second half. Duncan of Airdrie, who travelled all the way from Alnwick to take the place of the invalided Adams, could not be blamed for the loss of the cup. Few looking on would have imagined it was the goalkeeper’s first game of the season. The backs failed him in the first half, when the only reliable Celtic half-back was Mitchell. The inside supporting forwards in the first half spoiled the attack, and even in the second, when the Celts made such heroic effort to score, they blundered badly. Hay was the first to steady the side, and with Young and Loney going better in the second half the defence improved. As a whole it was not what we are accustomed to see in a Celtic team. Quinn had to make his own running, and apart from the want of McMenemy’s usual consistent support, he got little help from Johnstone, who did many clever things and worked zealously, but failed lamentably when it came to parting with the ball. Quinn showed in the second half, when he got about half a dozen passes, that he is still a great player, and the best centre in the country. He impressed Chapman, who should know. Kivlichan did well, and Hamilton’s best was served up in the first half. All over, the Celtic were not so deadly forward as hitherto, and not so consistent in defence. Victory went to the better side, and it was highly popular with the crowd.
