W Reid
Match Information
Attendance: 20,000
Referee: J.B. Stevenson (Motherwell)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
I was not unduly impressed by what I saw at Ibrox. True, there were several extenuating circumstances; still I looked for something better, especially from the Rangers. The beautifully trimmed pitch was exceptionally keen – far too keen for an opening game – the wind which blew towards the western goal was a source of trouble to the forwards on either side, and despite the cooling breeze, the weather was a trifle too warm for football. One thing I did like – the whole-hearted and spirited way the men went into their work. Not a man-jack spared himself. But combined or sustained effort did not find a prominent place on the bill, and the finishing on either side left much to be desired. In a word, the play was scrappy. For this I consider the half-backs were much to blame. With the exception of Gordon, none of the wing intermediated were often on terms with the men in front of them. Brown, Purdie and young Clifford now and then did upset the calculation of the opposing forwards, I grant you, but the occasion on which they joined forces with their respective attacking lines were few and far between. Destruction not construction was evidently their motto. How different with Gordon. The International, who simply revelled in his work, gave a delightful exhibition of studied half-back play. It was a treat to watch him bring down the ball ere sending along to Bennett, Smith or Reid – Gordon operated on the left to accommodate Brown. In the circumstances I was surprised that the Rangers left pair did not make a better appearance. Neither of the Alecs is tuned up yet. How different on the other side of the field, where Bowie initiated many beautiful forward movement. The old Maryhill and Queen’s Park boy was at his best – and that is saying much. A dozen times he slashed the ball between Clifford and Adam Miller straight to Paterson’s toe. That youngster, slipping along the right touch-line as daintily as ever, in return flashed across several beautiful centres; he made a few tried to capture Watson’s citadel off his own bat. It might have paid him and his side better, however, had he dispensed with the shooting, for so confident and safe was Watson, that it seemed a million to one against him being beaten from a distance. On the other hand, Reid was so much in earnest that I am certain had a greater number of balls been sent across the front more than one goal would be standing to his credit this morning. His bad luck surely could not have continued. Before he chipped in and got mixed up with Watson and Neil McEwan, ere putting Bowie’s centre into its proper place – the back of the rigging – Reid had struck a net post, with a glorious shot, and once, at least, been beaten, almost miraculously, by Watson practically on his goal line. But the Ibrox centre’s crowning misfortune was reserved for the second half, when Hamilton were playing with the breeze behind them. Well out, after rounding Clifford and Adam Miller, he let fly for the corner of the goal where Watson was not. The Academicals’ custodian was beaten all ends up, but the base of his right hand upright came to his aid. Locks goal also had its narrow escapes. Hanlon early on might have given Herbert some back-bending exercise had he not preferred to shoot past instead of into the net; Kelly too, looked a sort, of gift horse in the mouth; and Lock proved himself just smart enough to prevent Kyle’s fine effort counting. Five minutes from the close Archie was given the chance of a lifetime to get level with his old Rangers’ comrades. He had simply to shove the ball past Lock; instead he shot over. I don’t suppose Kyle could himself tell you it was done. That settled Hamilton’s chance of extracting a point from the match – the best result they could have hoped for. Rangers were certainly the better side; still, they were fortunate in a way to emerge from the contest victorious. For ten minutes at the beginning of the second half their defence was pretty wobbly – any- thing might have happened them. The rest of the time Kelso and Craig were safe rather than brilliant. Of the pair I liked best Craig, whose fielding of the ball was much superior of that of his partner. The Rangers’ backs were bigger and more powerful, but not one whit more effective then the shorter-kicking men who rendered Watson such valuable assistance. Adam Miller needs no gilding and Neil McEwan is one of the most improved defenders I know. The Clydebank junior International does not stand on ceremony. He believes in getting at his man right off the reel. As I have already indicated, I was not favourably impressed with either Hamilton wing half-backs. Of course, young Clifford was set a task much too big for him in being opposed to Paterson and Bowie at their best. Many a much older hand then he would have been ‘left’ quite as often. The experience, however, will do the boy good. I have nothing but praise for McNamee. To begin with, the big fair-haired centre-half floundered badly, but soon recovered, and for fully an Bowie was the best forward afield, so was Kyle little behind the Ranger, the number one man in the Hamilton attack. I have not seen him do better for many a day. Husband, a shade timid, I thought did not respond as he should. Kelly was only so-so on the centre, but Stewart and the speedy Hanlon occasionally showed pretty play on the right. Like the others they failed at finishing. Hanlon should get into the habit of centreing the ball – it will pay him
