McPherson
T Murray
Match Information
Attendance: 12,000
Referee: D.J. Liddell (Glasgow)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
Only thrice in eighteen years have the Rangers finished lower than third position in the league, and five times the Light Blues have been champions. To judge by the skill demonstrated by the forwards in the match against Partick at Ibrox, I feel confident the club will take a foremost position in the competition once more. The long summer drought and a stiffest breeze out of the west were disturbing influences in a game not marked by serious endeavour and pluck on the part of both teams, but revealing in the movements of the Rangers’ attack a superiority forward that was not reflected by the score. The ball beat the man so often on the fast ground that the players were handicapped to much greater extent than was apparent to the casual onlooker. It rose from the toe much higher than is the case when the turf is spongy, and occasionally when shot into goal would rebound off the hard surface over the goal bar. The Thistle showed their best points in the first half when they had the wind at their backs, but the forwards could not strike combination, and excepting Ballantyne and occasionally McGregor, they were not so effective as the other division of the team. Lyle the Perthshire recruit, who made his debut at centre-half in League football, is a youth with height and physique in his favour, who made a distinctly promising appearance. If a trifle slow, he kept to the right side of an experienced centre like Murray all the time, and accounted partially for the inability of the pivot to keep the wings going. Gibson and Wilson worked untiringly alongside the new-comer, but neither caught the eye so often as his youth, whose brother may be seen in senior football in the near future. McKenzie was the better of two sound Thistle backs, who under pressure in the second half came well out of a trying ordeal. At times they were a bit lucky in their clearances, but one could not but admire their grit and activity. Massey had most of the goalkeeping asked, and as time rolls on he gains in experience and ability. Luck was not entirely with the Thistle, however, as they ought to have scored twice ere McPherson counted for the Rangers, Sam Kennedy and McGregor missing the easiest of chances. In the second half the Rangers monopolised the game, and Murray shot a fine goal. Bennett got another, which seemingly was disallowed for off-side. If so, the decision was wrong. If not brilliant to watch, the play was good enough for the season, and once the Thistle get two or more clever recruits forwards they will commence to count. The Rangers have got a splendid side together. Rennie was hardly tested at goal, while the backs kicked with a repose, cleverness, and power delightful to watch. Sharp was as effective on the right as he was on the left. Gordon gave himself unnecessary work at half, and twice came down heavily through his own eagerness. Campbell accounted for Kennedy, and Galt gave a sparkling display behind Smith and McDonald. The forwards are a distinct betterment on the old lot, and McPherson and McDonald combine beautifully with the outside men. Once Murray gets into the swing of the others, the attack will be very formidable
