B McPhail 5
Coutts 11, 35
B McPhail 75
Fleming 77
B McPhail 85
Match Information
Attendance: 28,000
Referee: H Watson (Glasgow)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
Chagrin was impressed on the faces of the Tynecastle players as they retired from the ground, and no wonder. When Johnstone scored their fourth goal sixteen minutes from the end, giving them a three-goal advantage, it looked a million to one o Hearts, as Rangers appeared a well-beaten team. The Light Blues were distinctly rattled, and in addition Russell was crocked had been limping about for a long time and was placed at outside left. Nicholson and Brown took turns at back. But the attack was rearranged when Hearts fourth goal came along. Fleming went into centre and Smith to outside right, and in three minutes a change over the game. Fleming headed a high ball towards the left, and McPhail had no difficulty in reducing the lead. Hearts were completely demoralised at this blow, but more was to follow, and within a minute, too. Meiklejohn took a free kick 30 yards out, Smith fastened on to the ball, but was overwhelmed by the onslaught of several maroon-clad players. Marshall snapped on to the ball as it lay practically still and sent it goal-wards. Fleming got his head to it and in a mix-up, I saw the ball bob off the post to be cleared by Harkness. Referee Watson had no hesitation in awarding a goal, and he certainly was in an excellent position to judge two goals inside a minute! This was the score 4-3 for Hearts and the excitement became intense. Marshall now went outside right and Smith inside, probably in the hope that height and weight would carry the day. White missed a rare opening, and his colleagues seemed unstrung. They couldnt or wouldnt hold the ball for a couple of seconds. This proved their undoing, as it allowed the now desperate Light Blues to take up wild passes and bear down on Harkness. Time was getting very near, however, but it was obvious Rangers meant to save a point. Dougie Gray took a free kick and lobbed the ball into goal, Harkness came out to grasp it, McPhail rising at the same time, then we sat the ball go into the net. What a roar went up. The terracing was a yelling and cheering mass. Hearts players surrounded the referee. I think from their actions they were claiming that McPhail had handled the ball, but Mr Watson was adamant. There were only four minutes still to be played, but Rangers appeared satisfied, and they had every reason to be. And so, it ended. The game was a poor one, if I except the last fifteen minutes, and that only because of the excitement caused by Rangers great recovery. I dont think I have ever witnessed such crude half-back play in any first-class game. Wild passing was the order of the day. During the first ten minutes I thought Rangers were to win by goals. They were continually in Hearts quarters and had their defence in a proper tangle at times. Twice I thought they has opened their account before McPhail finished an attack by putting the ball between Harknesss legs in four minutes. Hearts pulled themselves together and getting Russell and Brown mixed up, Johnstone slipped the ball to Coutts, who let drive for goal. I think the sun got Dawson eyes as he went for the ball, for he failed to grip it and it bounced off the post to be later scrambled out. Hearts claimed a point, and the referee, after consulting his linesmen awarded it. This was after eleven minutes play, and Rangers went right out of the game before half an hour had gone. Coutts met a cross from Johnstone to put Hearts ahead ten minutes before the interval, and seven minutes later Battles, who had been more or less a passenger, met a cross from White to beat Dawson with a great shot. I have told you the story of the rest of the scoring, and now for the players. Rangers disappointed me very much by their feeble efforts up to the point when they threw style to the winds and proceeded to pound their way through. One man, however, stood out on his own all through, and I believe saved the Light Blues a big defeat Simpson. I have often had hard things to say of this whole-hearted chap, but yesterday I conceived a very great admiration for his play. He was more than a stopper. He displayed constructive ability. Fleming and McPhail also come out of the game with credit, also Gray. Of the rest Ill say nothing. Harkness was very shaky. Anderson was the better back and Massie the only feeder in the middle line. The forwards bar Coutts didnt appear to know where the goal lay, but they tried very hard. Hearts did not impress me. They will require to come on a lot if the Cup is to go East.
