Dr Marshall 36, >45
Match Information
Attendance: 20,000
Referee: Campbell Bilney (Glasgow)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
The game between Rangers and Dundee United at Ibrox Park, yesterday, was if not brimful of thrills, very interesting. Rangers got a hard fight for their 2 goals to nothing victory. What impressed me most was the undoubted improvement of the United’s team work since last season. The half-backs and forwards co-operated in a manner that was seldom, if ever, seen during season 1925-26. Hugh Shaw got an early chance to show his paces in Rangers’ colours, Muirhead calling off at the kat hour, owing to a slight injury sustained at practice. He appeared slightly nervous, but much of his work was beneficial. For a time, the game developed into a straight duel between the Ibrox forwards and the Dundee defence. Cunningham was the outstanding figure in those cutely manoeuvred thrusts. Only keen and well-judged interception by the indefatigable United halfs prevented the Light Blues’ scheme from bearing fruit. These indefatigable middlemen – especially Simpson and Walker – ultimately threw off the Ibrox men and set out on a well-formulated policy of attack vis both wings. Welsh and McDonald made things hum. Their cute slips up centre and sweeping passes to the right flank, produced a dangerously open Ibrox defence. Gray’s quick intuition and snappy tackling saved Rangers’ bacon on a few occasions. And so United plodded on until the craft and force of Cunningham and Archibald, combined with Marshall’s ceaseless worrying caused a break-up in the United rear line. Temporary it was, but fatal. Cunningham slipped a neat pass to Marshall. The young centre took two steps and sent a fast swerving shot low past Paterson. The confidence begotten of a first goal apparently inspired the rangers after the interval. They forced play all long the line, Cairns and Morton entering the picture for about the first time in the match. They kicked the ball about like old times, and the United halfs began to lose a grip of things, with the result that Marshall worked up and in to score a second goal – a real beauty. The Dundee team fought back gallantly, but the Ibrox halfs had struck a winning game, and nipped many promising schemes in the bud. Rangers’ chief policy seemed to be supplying Marshall with openings and passes in order that he might complete his hat-trick. He failed, mainly due to the splendid work of Paterson in the Unite goal. The big fellow was the hero of the Dundee team. He saved shots of all description, including two of Cunningham’s left foot crashers. Both Kay and Gilroy worked tirelessly against the powerful Rangers’ wings, and all the half-backs deserve praise. For quite a while they outshone the Ibrox trio. Walker marred an otherwise fine display by some unnecessary fouling. In the attack none bettered Welsh and McDonald. Their play was well-night faultless. Hart was a keen and eager leader, and ill-luck dogged him once or twice in the first half. Rangers, on the day’s showing, cannot content themselves with he thought that they are OK fore and aft. Nevertheless, both in defence and attack, they showed a soundness that was rarely witnesses last season. Hamilton and his backs were tip-top. Gray was the best defender on view, and of the halfs Craig ultimately struck his very best form. Cairns seems better for his rest, but Cunningham was the master mind in the attack. Andy is as good as ever. Young Marshall justified the confidence placed in him by the directors. He led the line grandly. Archibald was erratic, as was Morton – who is by the way, the Light Blues’ new captain.
