J Smith 5
McCulloch 27
Match Information
Attendance: 22,000
Referee: P Craigmyle (Aberdeen)
Matchday: Wednesday
Match Trivia
True to custom I saw Rangers having a struggle to beat Motherwell at Ibrox. If you search the records, you will find that there never has been much of a margin between them when they played down there. I enjoyed looking at this game. It brought back happy memories of some of the keenest tussles I ever took part in. This one certainly was of that brand. Each team had its spells of taking command of the game, and although I think the Rangers did something to reinstate themselves in the good graces of their supporters, and were just value their narrow win, there was a period just after Motherwell had equalised, when I felt the toss of a coin could have decided the issue. If we get no worse fare than this, we should be happy. The first half was a good end-to end struggle with Rangers just a shade better both in tactical defence and more dangerous in attack. Rangers got off to a flying start for with only six minutes gone, they were a goal to the good. Reid was improperly brought down near the touchline, and from the free kick, Brown placed the ball nicely towards goal. Smith met it with his head and with a grand gliding movement he had McArthur well beaten low down at his left-hand post. For a little after this, Rangers held the upper hand, but Motherwell got going and a lovely cross by McKenzie, intercepted by Stewart found the latter missing narrowly. After half-an-hours play Motherwell had a spell of ascendancy, and a nice header by Wales put Stewart through, but he finished weakly. Now came the highlight of this half. A little bit of Stevenson, who had been strangely quiet for him, took him closely to the penalty line, and from there he delivered a whizz-bang shot that looked a scorer all the way. Dawson, however, threw his hands up, and with a vice-like clutch, brought off a really classical save. Towards half-time the game quietened down a little, but there was always a chance of something happening, as the pace of the skidding ball off the turf made mischances possible. Rangers started off as if they meant serious business and dominated the play in the Motherwell half for the opening 10 minutes. A free-kick taken by Ellis was seized on by Brown, who returned it fist-time to allow Smith through a wide-open defence. McArthur came running out and Smith seemed to have placed the ball nicely, only to see it hit the upright. Motherwells first real attack in this half came after 15 minutes. The ball struck Simpson, and there followed a short, quick spell of mis-kicking by defender and attacker alike. Anything could have happened until McCulloch made contact, and with a wild shot sent the ball past. Motherwell were taking a turn of things now, and as a result of their attack putting new effort into their work, the game livened up considerably, and swung from end to end, with, however, the fenced remaining on top. One of the outstanding incidents was a cross by Ogilvie that brought out the best in Dawson. In 28 minutes, Ogilvie got past McDonald. Simpson came running across, but only partially succeeded in blocking the winger. Ogilvie, hanging on, got the ball over low, and McCulloch in spite of a partial clearance by Gray, headed the ball into the rigging. The fat was in the fire now. Motherwell tried to establish a quick lead, but Rangers kept steady and themselves went on the aggressive. In the 38th minutes a grand lob by McKillop was met by Smiths head. The centre glided it to McPhail, who stepped in to give the goalkeeper no chance at all. A couple of minutes later Bremner suffered an injury to the left leg and had the be carried from the field. Jerry Dawson proved himself again Scotlands greatest goalkeeper, I am sure that save from George Stevenson must have trilled us all alike. It was as good as a match winner. As a pair Gray and McDonald were as sound as you could wish. Dougie, as usual, did his work without any frills. It is what we always expected of him. I never knew him to let his team down. In the middle division, I would say Rangers had the greatest pull, although young McKillop I have seen do better, but the season is early yet, and he is the sort of boy who will keep coming on. George Brown was the best half-back I saw, and from him most of Rangers attacking movements commenced. The only time that Simpson was definitely beaten was when Ogilvie eluded him and led to Motherwells goal, but over the piece the big fellow was in command of the centre of the field. Of the forwards I gave the palm to Smith and McPhail. The Rangers centre had a good game, and his share in both goals represented a centres work well done. As a steadying link in the attack, big Bob was the man in chief, and invaluable as a help to the defence. Reid I must not forget. For a young fellow coming in as an emergency, he showed be could be trusted. His first half was excellent and though he had a tendency to play too close afterwards, when a few of his passes were short, he certainly paid his way. Main and Venters were a couple of workers, and with some combined movements put the Motherwell defence on the stretch. McArthur could in no way be blamed for Motherwells defect. I thought he was a little bit unlucky. Ben Ellis was the same old energetic battler and still ranks as one of the best left backs in the country, and Grant, although beaten frequently by Reid, never gave in. In a constructive sense, McKenzie came nearest to Brown. Wales did a lot of useful defence, but sometimes lacked the brainy pass which can so often set forwards on a dangerous advance. A lot of faulty passing outside the penalty area by the Motherwell forwards went far to neutralise some extremely clever leading-up work. Ogilvies speed was a telling factor, and any anxiety that was caused in the Rangers defence was created by him. George Stevenson we only saw in flashes and then he gave us some of the highlights of the game. Hutton Bremner I shaw remember as giving the best first-time shot of the game which deserved a goal. I am terribly sorry to see him injured at a vital stage in the game. Stewart never got any rope from Simpson and McCulloch, although he was guilty of many wild shots at goal, was a persevering little man, and got the goal that came near saving a point.
