Aberdeen 3 - 1 Rangers

Neither the Aberdeen Journal nor The Scotsman carried a report of this match beyond the result, although the Aberdeen Journal of 5th February 1917, did mention the "Aberdeen sprang one of the surprises of the season upon the football public on Saturday when they beat Rangers by 3 goals to 1."

AFCHT EDITOR

Aberdeen achieved a very worthy performance in securing a well-merited victory over Rangers at Pittodrie. The Light Blues were deprived of the services of McKenna from 6 minutes before the interval till the finish, but it is questionable if at full strength - Scott Duncan was absent - the result would have been different. Rangers, with sun and wind, had the best of matters for half an hour, but sound defence and poor finishing were responsible for their failure pierce the net. Aberdeen came away strongly during the next quarter of an hour, and after Hempsey had had a few frights ambler made the most of a corner finely placed by Wylie.
This success meant much for the Dons. After that the really never looked back, and before the second period was a minute gone Wyllie capped a splendid effort with a magnificent goal. Occasionally the Ibrox men had a look in, and midway through the half a mistake on the part of the Aberdeen defence gave Dave Duncan at last the chance to score. He netted in simple fashion. This unexpected point spurred on the Northerners, and 2 minutes later Wyllie again did the trick, completely deceiving Hempsey. Rangers made a few spasmodic efforts to reduce the leeway, but with one or two exceptions their attempts were of little account. Aberdeen, on the other hand, practically carried all before them, and, with the backs wavering, Hempsey had an anxious time. So persistent was the pressure that taking-out tactics were freely indulged in. The game was far from brilliant, and the Rangers' display was disappointing. They missed McKenna, but even when he was present they did not impress. John Wyllie's play at pivot was a revelation, his two goals being specials and his feeding of the wings excellent. Cail and Wylie were next in view. The halves were good, with Brewster excelling, and Anderson, Colman, and Calder were a sound as a bell.

Source: Sunday Post, 4th February 1917

Aberdeen must have given the couponers a bad Saturday night. Few expected them to draw, far less win. Probably the largest crowd of the season turned out at Pittodrie - about 6000 - and after the 7-0 debacle at Kilmarnock the previous Saturday nothing much was looked for from the Wasps. As events proved, Rangers, after the first twenty minutes or so, never looked as if they could win. Aberdeen before the interval, although they had wind and sun, had distinctly the upper hand, and kept it to the end.
The experiment of trying big John Wyllie, good back or centre half, at centre had much to do with the success of the homesters. He gave the attack weight, and proved more than an opportunist, his passing out being really good. Ambler scored for Aberdeen halfway through the first period; Wyllie added a second a minute after resuming, and put on a third immediately after C. Duncan had notched Rangers' point. Wyllie's were two great goals. Rangers lost McKeana (left back) minutes from the Interval, and he did not come on again.
The Glasgow attack lacked unison all through, and their finishing was poor. Their defence, too, was by no means impressive. Hempsey misjudged badly more than once, and the backs were often flurried. Wyllie had perhaps something to do with that. Cail was in tip-top form, and delighted the crowd. Aberdeen's defence was sound as a rock, and none did better than Donald Colman. Anderson had picnic for most of the afternoon.

Sourcee: Dundee Courier, 5th February 1917