B McPhail 30
S Archibald >45
Match Information
Attendance: 20,000
Referee: W Bell (Motherwell)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
For the first fifteen minutes, and in odd spasms afterwards, the United stood up well to a superior opposition. On the run of the game, however, they were fortunate to get off with a two-goal margin against them. Luck, they say, is with the brave, and no doubt about it, the United were brave enough. It took Rangers 30 minutes the scoring, then McPhail did it with a beautiful swinger from nearly thirty yards, the ball going away from McGregor all the time. The United fell away after this reverse, and it was marvellous how their goal escaped from Marshall, McPhail and Morton – all three-hit wood. McGregor was also a big factor; he deserved the cheers he got. Rangers did a bit of heavy bombardment in the second half before they scored again in seven minutes. Craig swung the ball over to Archibald, who took instant aim and shot a smasher. McGregor saw the ball coming, and he made a good attempt to stop it with his right hand but could only deflect it into the net. It was all Rangers for a long time after this, but still, they could not get the reward of their forward superiority. Balls missed the net by nothing to speak of and once they claimed a penalty for ‘hands’ which seemed a sound claim. We were beginning to think the scoring had ended when, what do you think, the United forwards came along in open formation, and Henderson netted from close in after R Hamilton had failed to clear. This was a facer for the Rangers, and the United, in a few remaining minutes, went all out for an equaliser, but – the goal came at the other end. Archibald got a long pass, got clean through, and beat McGregor from point-blank range in the centre. Gray was a fine back. While no one was outstanding at half-back, the line was solidly good. Meiklejohn put in a power of defence against a bustling, fearless man in Kay, who, given the slightest liberty, would have made things hum. Craig came away in the second half with his useful cross passes and service to Morton, who was in one of his liveliest moods. McPhail stood the test splendidly, and Fleming gave driving power to the attack. Marshall who did many smart things, had no luck. Considering the amount of work thrown on the United defence, I consider McGregor and his backs came well out of it. They were regular stickers. The half-backs had often to fall rearward and defend, but when they got the chance, they forced the game not badly. Ross and Hart were the better wing, but even with them passes went astray, and Ross was faulty with his shooting when the chances were going early. Thomson was injured in the second half, but he hung pluckily. George Henderson did not seem too happy at inside-right, but he took his goal well, and got a good Ibrox cheer for it.
