Gillick 11
J Smith 36
McIntosh 82
Dougall
Match Information
Attendance: 35000
Referee: P Craigmyle (Aberdeen)
Match Trivia
Wed lick even a panzer division This, an Ibrox man last night when Rangers added yet another scalp to their highly decorated belt in Preston north End. They deserved to win a game which attracted not far short of 40,000 people, who, principally in the first half, were kept right on the top of excitement. In the first half it was a great contest, with Rangers promising to get the upper hand. They certainly did after the turn-over, lasting the hot pace much better, and going on to achieve a 100 per cent success. Rangers took the lead after eleven minutes, the result of quick thinking and quicker action by Gillick and McIntosh who pursued a forward ball by Smith. Scott tried to burst up the partnership while Fairbrother ran out. Gillick won the race and first-timed the ball as he fell. A thriller of a goal! Immediately a lovely move by McLaren and Dougal nearly brought the equaliser. The centre hit a rather wild shot over the bar when he was placed to run on and place the ball where he liked in the net. Value for money stuff for the fans and then a touch of novelty for a Scottish crowd. Finney had to take a corner kick and Dougal stood alongside him at the flag. Woodburn dashed up to cover Dougal, but the referee ordered him back. Dougie Gray protested. Obviously, he did not know the rule. This legitimate Preston move is calculated to upset the opposition and is often employed by the Deepdale team. Rangers, however, at once produced more profitable tactics still when young Beattie at the other end crossed for Jimmy Smith to jump and head a smasher of a second goal. That was after 36 minutes, then a goal for Preston. Finney, McLaren and Dougal co-operated in a movement which scattered the Rangers defence, leaving Dougal with an open road to Dawson. He went right through and took full advantage of the chance. Only a brilliant save by Dawson prevented Preston reaching level terms before half-time. The second half opened quietly, but soon a needle quality was introduced. It followed the manner in which Gray was grassed by Dougal and ODonnell in turn. Rangers went on to have the better of things, with Fairbrothers good keeping twice thwarting scoring efforts by McIntosh. The Preston forwards indulged in their famous habit of switching, but they puzzled themselves a trifle, owing, perhaps to the fact that Bobby Beattie was not always where his pals expected him to be. Beattie, indeed, was having a poor game, and Hugh ODonnell was the sufferer. There were times when he was far too lackadaisical the only one on the field to reveal such symptoms. The longer the game went the more superior did Rangers become, and eight minutes from the end they got a deserved third goal. McIntosh sent over a hard cross which the goalkeeper rose to but could not hold, the ball falling to the back of the net with Rangers Beattie in attendance to mak siccar
