McGrory 96
Gallacher 115
Missed Penalties
McGrory pen miss 35
Match Information
Attendance: 40,000
Referee: T Small (Dundee)
Matchday: Thursday
Match Trivia
Before the first interval and after it – we had three of these in this two-hours’ Glasgow Cup semi-final decider at Ibrox – one might have been excused saying that much of the football was of the leg-weary order. But when the extra half-hour started there was absolutely no sign of trailing. Rangers had come second best out of the statutory ninety minutes. For a little in the first half, they had something of a pull, but for a big portion of the whole time Celtic were much the better side. They moved like a team, whereas the Light Blues were strong behind, not nearly so strong in the middle, and scrappy and scraggy in front. Which was not to be wondered at. Craig had been pressed into service, young Ireland deputised for Muirhead vice Meiklejohn; forward they opened with Gray, the Aberdeen back deputising from Alan Morton, which Chalmers as leader. As the side was constituted, and as things ran, they were jolly well lucky to come out of the first ‘ninety’ without loss – to carry the tie on the fourth half-hour. Really Celtic should have opened the second half leading by two or three goals. I will mention only a couple of late misses by McGrory and add that Shevlin had little or nothing to do – by contrast with the previous meetings in this long-drawn-out tie, that young man really enjoyed a pleasant Thursday afternoon. About those wasted opportunities. Adam McLean slipped a sweet thing through for his centre to shoot weakly past with his left. What an Ibrox life! But, from the Parkhead viewpoint, something equally bad was to follow before the turn and it was again ‘wee Adam’ who started the movement. His slipping past Manderson was a treat his shot, which Robb stopped but let slip, had something behind it and – well, it seemed as if the onrushing McGrory must break the ice at last. But instead of placing the ball well beyond the keeper’s reach, he foozled it. Robb got another chance, and the ball was ultimately ‘cornered’. That made two of these ‘corners’ for Celtic, things which might have had a bearing on the result. So far Rangers has none; they were in the same position when the hour and a half expired. On occasion they did get a ball on the direction of Shevlin, but Robb was undoubtedly much the busier custodian. After a bit Chalmers went to the left touch-line, and there was s slight improvement. Then, evidently determined to get the tie finished, the celts tried a reconstruction. Gallagher took his stand on the right touch-line, with McLean supporting, and flying Connolly carried on along the left as he had been careering along the right. But no goal – only ‘near things’ and ‘corners’, and the ‘extra’ had to be. Half-a-dozen ‘corners’ to the bad, Rangers realises that if ‘their faces had to be saved’ they must score. Desperate diseases require desperate remedies they seemed to think, and Bert Manderson was made a centre-forward and young Gray placed alongside Jamieson. Right away it was helter-skelter – hell-for-leather down on the western goal and Shevlin had to look spry. Willie McStay kicked anywhere for safety. A few ticks more and Willie Robb was diving out at a Connelly pass – Paddy was in his own place now. Robb got hurt and incidentally gave any another ‘corner’. Down again McKay shot, Manderson shot, and Craig shot. Revived Rangers were mattering. But their pressure was short-lived and Connolly getting clear, crossed a beauty which McGrory ‘headed out of Robb’s reach. It was a bonny goal – and Celts were safe for the final. Time five minutes. To have had any chance Rangers must have scored first – if they had, there’s no saying what might have happened never mind how much inferior they were to their conquerors. Gallagher up, waited the fraction of a second too long and Jamieson relieved him. But the ‘mighty atom’ got his deserts – the reward of persistence – eight minutes before the very finish. Going on in his own inimitable fashion, Patsy wormed his way through to beat Robb from a rather difficult position. Much to the credit of the victory belongs to Paddy, but all the attack, indeed the entire team, did well, even if McGrory was a sinner at goal – well, a bigger sinner than the others. Connelly’s speed was as marked as Adam McLean’s artistry, and I wouldn’t care to say that ‘wee Adam’ put across more dangerous balls than the younger Paddy. Tireless Thomson’s fielding was very fine at times. Pater Wilson, the No 1 half-back afield, was grand. Jamie McStay was more than able for his job, and McFarlane was a long way in front of what he was on Tuesday. Behind, Willie McStay and Hilley were safe as houses. As I have told you, Shevlin wasn’t often called upon. His clean sheet speaks for itself. Rangers got grand service from Willie Robb and his backs – I have never before seen Jamieson do so well. Dixon was the beat middleman while it was plain as a pikestaff that Craig was labouring. Still, ‘Tully’ did a good afternoon’s work. McKay was the one consistent forward. We saw flashes of the real Cunningham but perhaps Andy had had more than enough of it. Archibald too was below the standard he has been showing recently. It was made clear that Gray is not an attacker., nor is Chalmers a centre-forward. He did better on the left
