Rangers 2 - 1 Aberdeen

"FREE GIFT SCHEME" AT IBROX.

Disastrous Result of Falloon's Pass to Goalkeeper.

Rangers beat Aberdeen for the third time this season at Ibrox on Saturday. The Light Blues take very little credit for their latest victory, however. Had they not been fortune's favourites, they would certainly have dropped one point, and might have been defeated.
The manner in which they came by their goals alone illustrates this. The first, which nullified a goal by Armstrong in the first three minutes the game, was scored by Falloon, and the Aberdeen players claim that McPhail handled before Smith scored the winning point in the second half
Taking the game as whole, the Dons were a more impressive combine than the Light Blues. That early goal was just the tonic the Pittodrie men required, and until the scoring of the all-important goal in the second half the Dons were the nippier and more workmanlike eleven.

Nippy Aberdeen Attack.

There was little to choose between the respective defences, but at wing half and in attack Aberdeen appeared to work more cohesively. The Dons' raids were better conceived and carried out with more snap than those of the Light Blues, and had the Pittodrie van displayed more penetration at close quarters Rangers would never have had the opportunity of snatching the points.
The game was only three minutes old when, following a Beynon throw-in, Mills lobbed the ball across to Armstrong, and the centre guided it into the net.
Midway through the period the home goal was lucky not to fall again. After Dawson had left his charge to clear from Thomson, Armstrong shot towards an empty goal, but McDonald rushed back to clear on the line.
Then in twenty-three minutes disaster overtook the Dons, and Rangers were on level terms. It came about this way.
Nicholson and Falloon raced after ball; the Aberdeen player won, but passing back he sent away from the keeper, and, as Smith stumbled in making for the ball, all he could do was to help it into the net.

Chance Missed.

Just on the interval Mills missed a great chance when an Armstrong pass came across two yards out and he was caught off balance.
The Aberdeen goal had a narrow escape in the early stages of the second half. With Smith out of his charge, a Smith (Rangers) header was entering the net when Cooper bobbed up like a Jack-in-the-box to head over the bar.
At the other end Rangers were equally lucky when, after Dawson had left his charge, Mills lobbed the ball into the goal for McDonald to clear on the line.
Twenty-three minutes had gone when Gillick fastened on to a weak McGill pass back and swung the ball to McPhail, for the latter to give Smith no chance, which the centre was quick to accent. The Aberdeen players claimed that McPhail had handled, but the referee said "No."
Smith in the Aberdeen goal had one or two smart saves to his credit, but for the most part he was well covered by two sound backs In Cooper and McGill. The right back, however, was the more confident and polished.

Fraser Shines.

The honours at half-back go to Fraser, who was equally effective in defence and attack.
Falloon had a good game, except for that disastrous pass-back. He gave Smith, the burly Ibrox leader, few chances.
Thomson was a hard worker, but no more than serviceable.
Beynon was Aberdeen's most dangerous raider. He was fast off his mark, crossed a good ball, and altogether gave Gray a busy afternoon.
Mills was clever, but his finishing left something to be desired. Love and Warnock on the right worked well together, with the inside man the more impressive.
Armstrong led the attack in fine style. He was an untiring and unselfish leader, and took his goal very well.
Dawson, Rangers' last line of defence, did not impress. Gray was probably the best back afield, although Cooper was not far behind. McDonald was erratic, but, as already mentioned, saved his side on more than one occasion.
Craig was the most stylish middle-man. Meiklejohn was a crafty pivot, but Brown never revealed his best form.
In attack nobody attained brilliant heights. Nicholson did fairly well, and, considering he was out of position, Gillick played a useful game. Smith was a dashing leader, who got little room to work, but neither McPhail nor Marshall enhanced their reputations.

Source: Press & Journal, 9th April 1934