McLean pen
Match Information
Attendance: 30,000
Referee: unknown - to be confirmed
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
It would be sheer flattery to the ‘Bairns’ to say they deserve to win. That they lost only by a penalty goal scored by McLean, the ex-Thirds centre, fifteen minutes after half-time was due more to impotence of Rangers’ front rank plus good goalkeeping by Craig, the big new goalkeeper unearthed by Manager Nicol of Falkirk, than any good form shown by the visitors’ attack. Falkirk did well against a team which, on paper, looked fir to keep the champions at top of bill. There were twenty-five or thirty thousand spectators. Craig was the first man prominent for Falkirk, he having to save shots from McLean and Bowie. This young Fifer is a keeper of no mean order, and the way he got up to the high ones and down to the low ones was in the manner of an expert. Rangers monopolised the first fifteen minutes, and then Jocky Simpson gave a sparkle. A corner of his was just scraped past by Hempsey. Harvie was the man who mattered here. He held Cairns and McDiarmid well, and found time to block Davie McLean time and again. Yet the new Rangers’ centre got in a few shots at goal, but his direction was bad. Once he was only five yards from Craig yet sent past. Rangers’ forwards failed to combine, and Hickie and Scott were fearless in defending. Although Rangers pressed almost all the rest of the period they failed to count. The second half brought no relief to Falkirk, who were early defending. So great was the pressure that in saving their goal McLean was fouled inside the penalty area. He took the kick and scored. It was hard luck on Craig. Combination on either side was lacking. McCulloch kept a good hold of Aitken, who did not get many opportunities, Bowie being inclined to play more to McLean than was necessary. It would have paid Falkirk to play more to Simpson. He was starved. Credit must be given to Falkirk’s defenders. Craig was an unqualified success. Hickie and Scott kicked and fielded well. Harvie was the best half, and with McCulloch a grafter all the time. The forwards were equally good and bad by turns. On the Rangers’ side Hempsey had little to do. Manderson outshone Blair. Walls made a promising first show. Aitken failed to shine for want of opportunities, and McLean hasn’t got the angle of the goals at Ibrox yet apparently. Cairns and McDiarmid formed the best wing.
