Gillick 41
T Walker 56
Match Information
Attendance: 102,661
Referee: M.C. Hutton (Glasgow)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
The result didnt do anyone any harm. It wasnt a case of neither side deserving to win. Neither side deserved to lose! Hearts had more chances to win. That they failed to take them was just in the way of things. The result could have gone either way. It went the proper way. Hearts were a better team than Rangers. No doubt about it in my mind. They had a magnificent half-back line and forwards who could work a ball with dexterity. In this game of terrific fluctuations, breathless goal escapes, and dare-devil clearances, the Tynecastle team emerged with a shade more honour than their famous opponents. Hearts sailed into the game with such joyous abandon that if Meiklejohn and company had had any tactics pre-arranged the were scattered to the winds. The crowd yelled in the first few minutes when a clever header by McCulloch looked like fading over Jerry Dawsons right shoulder into the net. But a desperate lunge by the keeper was just sufficient to divert the ball round the post before he fell flat on his back inside the net. Then followed thrill after thrill. Mainly round Rangers goal. Dawson pranced about parrying here tipping over there, and in every way proving himself the inspired goalkeeper. There were distinct signs of panic in the Ibrox rear lines at this period. Periodically the Ibrox forwards eased things a bit by swinging the ball out to the wings. Mainly to Gillick. A mistake, I thought. Main looked the more dangerous winger at the start. But by the time he was noticed by his colleagues young McClure had got settled down and was giving little away. McKenzie had a brilliant back-header tipped over the bar by Dawson. McCulloch had a smart stab shot punched down. Johnstone saw one caught in Dawsons middle. These were three of the thrills. Then we got some at the other end. Main cut inward and shot from a narrow angle. It was Harknesss first save and a mighty precious one. Jack smothered it round the post with relief. But his relief was short-lived. The corner kick brought the most amazing scramble round his area. Hearts defenders couldnt get the ball clear. Every clearance went to a Ranger. Then the referee blew for a foul against one of the Light Blues, and every Hearts supporter heaved his body back and whistled through his teeth. The raids of Main and Gillick were getting more frequent and Dangerous. Four minutes from the interval they brought reward. Main cut in and gave to Smith, who flicked to Gillick. The winger tore in towards Harkness at breathless speed, and released a thunderbolt, which nearly lifted the scalp off the goalkeeper before hitting the back of the net. At half-time most folk imagined the game would go the old familiar way. A libel on as courageous and clever a Hearts team as Ive seen. In the first few minutes after the interval Meiklejohn saved a certain goal when he lunged in front of McKenzie to desperately bang the ball past his own upright for a corner. In eleven minutes, Hearts equalised. A foal brilliantly conceived by Massie and Walker. Massie took a free kick. As he ran to it, he signalled to Walker to come to the near side of Rangers goal. Tommy did so. And actually, as he was running away from the goal he flicked the ball over Dawsons upstretched hands. There was a terrific scramble on the goal line. The ball didnt seem to be actually over the line. But there was Referee Hutton, dead in line with Dawson, pointing upfield. It was a goal. Hearts went daft after this. McCulloch back-headed the ball against the upright the next minute with Dawson six yards out of goal. Then we saw the real Rangers. Rangers with their backs to the wall. They survived the hot period following Hearts equaliser and put on the screw. Harkness was the busy man now. When the final whistle blew the pace was almost as fast as at the start. It left the crowd stock still on the terracings murmuring. I saw two magnificent goalkeepers. Jerry Dawson was a hero. Mainly because he had mor to do than Harkness. Anderson and McClure were more adventuresome than Gray and McDonald. McClure was an eye-opener. Played an inspired game. But what a great little clubman is Dougie Gray. The best half-backs on the field were Herd, Brown and Reid in that order. Herd, by his marvellous positioning, destroyed dozens of choice-looking Ibrox schemes. George Brown is still master of the half-back art. The only fellow today who consistently turns defence into attack with one kick at the ball. Billy Reid too was magnificent. Outshone Jimmy Simpson on the day, although neither Simpson, Meiklejohn, nor Massie were other than good. At times, in fact, Massie was positively smashing. McPhail has come back all right. But he didnt have the line with him. Venters was never seen in the first half, and only sprang into the limelight after the interval. Main and Gillick had great moments, and others pretty weak. Smith was too well shadowed to get going. The Munro-Walker wing was the best wing afield, although I have seen it more effective. Munto certainly showed up better than his opponents for a National cap, Main and Gillick. McCulloch was a worry to Simpson. His unexpected moves puzzled Jimmy at times. McKenzie overdid the close-ball work at times but pulled more than his weight. But it was the team understanding of Hearts that impressed me. In comparison, Rangers struck me as a bunch of clever players running a bit loose.
