Battles 10
McMillan 25
Match Information
Attendance: 10,000
Referee: W.G. Holburn (Glasgow)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
And so, Rangers’ cherished home record has gone at last. Their sportsmanship in proceeding with the fixture against such redoubtable opponents, with the five of the regular eleven and one of their best reserves engaged in the Scots-Irish ‘National at Parkhead was characteristic of the Ibrox club, and sympathy will be extended to them in their hour of defeat. But this need not detract from the merit of the Hearts’ triumph. They were a plucky combine, stronger in defence and attack than the Light Blues, and in Jack Harkness they had a gem of a custodian. On the frost-bound ground, which was liberally coated with sand – hardly a blade of grass being visible – the Hearts played with amazing abandon, and the results justified the risk. The forwards, admirably led by Battle in the earlier stages, moved in open formation, with McMillan and Geoge Miller keeping the ball swinging about in a manner that disconcerted the Rangers’ defenders. A smartly taken goal by Battles in the eight minute increased the confidence of the Tynecastle brigade, and although in the outfield for the next twenty minutes the Rangers made most work with the ball, the snap and enterprise of the Hearts at close quarters brought its reward. After 27 minutes the Edinburgh men forced a corner on the right and following it McMillan banged in a low ball which spun off a defender’s foot out of Hamilton’s reach. Tom made a great effort to collect the ball, but he was a fraction of a second late. While Rangers did a lot of attacking, their work was ragged. They never swept along with the sprightliness of their opponents, and in the scoring zone they were inclined to bunch together. Archibald had two tremendous drives, one of them from near the bye-line, but these only served to bring out the best in Harkness. Jack’s clearing was superb. He field the ball with rare judgement and disposed of it with celerity. Once or twice in the first half he had to exercise daring, particularly when he came out and dived at the feet of Brown when the inside right was set to drive home a Nicholson cross. Nicholson also had one or two good drives turned aside, but in these Rangers’ attacks there was a lack of repose, and Anderson and King made no mistake. McPhail and Brown had to forage too much for themselves. Simpson had more to do than he was able for in looking after Battles, while neither Muirhead nor McCandless was quick enough in their tackling of G Miller and R Johnstone. Buchanan was tireless, but in his anxiety to pull the side together he frequently roamed out of position and Purdon was left with just too much to do. I was not impressed with the backs, nor with Simpson. Muirhead too, was slow in recovery, by the made good use of the ball when in possession. From the way the Rangers started the second half it was obvious that they still regarded themselves capable of making up the two-goal deficiency, and forcing work by McPhail was spoiled by Archibald and then Fleming driving behind. Nicholson brought Harkness into action with an angular shot. For fully ten minutes the Ibrox forwards kept converging on the Hearts’ goal, and then came a bombshell. The Tynecastle left wing raised the siege, and with the swiftness that marked their first-half effort McMillan and Murray carried the ball up the field in no time. Murray’s cross was accurately gathered by Battles, whose first shot was blocked, but the centre quickly recovered the ball and this time his drive flew into the net off Simpson’s foot. Again, sympathy was felt for Hamilton, who had a chance of saving the ball had it come direct. Rangers continued to make the running and at last their work was rewarded. A ball from the right was caught on the drop by McPhail, who from about 15 yards range smashed it into the net like lightning. This Ibrox goal roused the side to greater effort, but although bringing the ball times without number into the scoring zone, every raid only brought out more prominently the qualities of the Hearts defence. If some of their punts were a trifle faulty in direction, Anderson and King were stalwart defenders, more effective in their tackling than the Rangers pair and displaying sound judgment. J Johnston was also a giant defender when his services were requited, and he fairly kept Fleming at bay. Higgins never knew when he was beaten. This lad played a heroic part in his side’s victory, and Brown and Archibald found him an obstinate barrier. Peter Kerr also played a serviceable game. McMillan was an inspiring force in the attacking party. He maintained his balance wonderfully well on the treacherous ground, and in the first half especially he took all the risks and invariably with the best results. He and Murray showed a fine understanding. George Miller also found the ball running to his liking, and R Johnstone gave him splendid backing. Battles, as I have said, was a capable leader who snapped his chances in masterly fashion. It was a fine feat on the part of the Hearts to bring off the ‘double’, and like their victory at Tynecastle in October last, the margin was two goals. Rangers’ last League defeat at Ibrox was a long ago as February 11, 1928, when Motherwell won by 2-0. Had yesterday’s game been measured by the run of play the verdict would not have gone to the Hearts, for besides having at least an equal share of the exchanges in the first half the Rangers had a monopoly in the closing period. But the forwards play was far from impressive. Adequate support was not forthcoming from the half-backs, and McPhail and Brown were too often compelled to fall back and were unable to give the help they should have been giving to the extreme wingers and also to Fleming. Brown was seldom in the limelight, and Archibald put in his best work before the cross-over. An injury to McPhail just before half-time impaired his usefulness later on, and Nicholson could have done with more of the ball.
