Paterson
Stewart
Match Information
Attendance: 12,000
Referee: unknown - to be confirmed
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
Although Rangers, all things considered were entitled to their narrow win over Clyde at Ibrox, it cannot be said that the form of the team calls for any song of praise. Frankly, the exhibition of play was disappointing. ‘Tis true that, in the first half, we had now and then a glimpse or two of decent combination, but these occasions were, alas, all too rare. But what of Clyde? Paradoxical though it may appear, in view of their defeat, the Shawfield side were the better-balanced one, and but for a pronounced ineptitude in finishing, might well have shared the points. At the outset Rangers made the running, and Galt, who was forcing the play nicely, slipped a lovely ball ahead, which Reid, on the run, crashed against the bar. This incident served to impress McAndrew with what his particular function should be, and Reid had a few clear openings thereafter. Clyde soon had their innings as attackers, and while there was nothing to cavil at in the manner in which the ball was brought along, little can be said in favour of the inside men’s attempts to make good from Concoran’s well-judged centre. In a similar manner a splendid opportunity was thrown away, after Thompson had gone through, owing to Clunas failing to deal promptly with the left winger’s finely-squared ball. Mainly as the result of Galt’s breaking up tactics, Rangers again came into the limelight, and ere long were a couple of goals to the good. The first, scored by Stewart from close in, was the result of a clever run and pass by the part of Paterson, but it was a poor affair indeed in comparison with the one that followed. This time Paterson carried the whole movement trough himself. Getting the ball about midfield, he dashed down the wing with Collins running alongside, and stopping the ball suddenly with his right foot, he without hesitation, drove it with his left, high into the corner of the net. It was a great spectacular goal. From this point on to the interval, play was of a poor description, if a concerted run by the Clyde forwards, which ended with Mabberley shooting strongly and narrowly past, is excepted. In the second half, certain players on the one side introduced undesirable tactics, and a few on the other accepting nearly every chance of retaliating, the game at this stage may best be described as an undignified scramble. Rangers ought to have increased their lead, but Paterson and Stewart between them made a mess of a grand chance from Smith, while a little later Clyde actually reduced it, Chalmers beating Lock close in after Thompson had done the spade work. Rangers won, I my view, because of the individual brilliance of Paterson in front, the excellent display, destructive and constructive of Galt, and the sureness of Lock’s clearing in goal. Fulton was the better of the backs, but his tackling still leaves room for improvement. Gordon has seldom been seen to less advantage, and Hendry was also playing below his usual form. In the forward line, only Smith and Paterson emerged from the game with credit, and this is all the more praiseworthy, because both were indifferently supported. Cairns, although willing to a fault, never set up a profitable partnership with the men on either side of him, a criticism which in a modified form is also applicable to Stewart. Reid’s non-success is attributable to lack of proper support, and McAndrew’s shadowing. It is not intended to detract from the latter’s magnificent exhibition; he was the outstanding player on his side, and Walker also did well. McTuck did his part all right, while the Clyde backs were much ahead of the pair doing duty for their opponents, but Blair has often been more impressive. The forward, of whom the extreme wingers and Mabberley were best, lacked steadiness where it was most necessary – in front of goal. The inside left was the shot of the line. If Rangers are to be ready, if called on, to challenge the League leaders, a very general improvement is, I fear, necessary
