Celtic 4 - 1 Aberdeen

About 5000 spectators were present at Celtic Park, Glasgow, last night, and saw Celtic repeat their Cup victory over Aberdeen, only in a more emphatic style. The winners were a much better combination, both in attack and defence, and their play in the second half bewildered the opposition. For the first 25 minutes the play was never far away from Blackwell, but Hutton and Ritchie put up a fine defence, and the Celtic forwards got few chances to test Blackwell. The Aberdeen forwards, when they got away, were always dangerous, and when half-an-hour had gone McDermid got through and beat Shevlin from close range. From this to half-time it was a better fight, but a minute before the interval Thomson equalised after he had hit the bar. Against the wind in the second half the Celtic half-backs and forwards showed perfect understanding, and only seven minutes had gone when McGrory put his side on the lead. Aberdeen were rarely seen thereafter, but their defence managed to hold out until twenty minutes from the end, when McInally made the most of a faulty clearance by Hutton and scored a third goal. Five minutes later McInally finished a great second half display by beating several opponents and placing the ball in the net well out of Blackwell's reach. The Aberdeen defence did well, but the inside forwards were poor and easily held by the Celtic half-backs.

Source: The Scotsman, 31st March 1926

Celtic repeated their semi-final performance by defeating Aberdeen at Celtic Park, last night - on this occasion by 4 goals to 1. Aberdeen were without Reid, injured; otherwise the teams were as in the cup-tie.

Celtic had a strong wind in their favour in the first half, and quite early forced a number of corners. Not once, however, was Blackwell seriously troubled, and excepting Mclnally, there did not seem to be a shot in the Celtic attack. The home team were inclined to develop attack on their right wing and centre, and Aberdeen were quite prepared for this. The humdrum Celtic attack, with seldom a sign of scoring, was relieved through bright raids by Aberdeen's wings and centre.
As play progressed it became plainer that Aberdeen were under no delusions as to the methods that would pay. Freer and faster on the ball, there was a far more dangerous look about their movements. Celtic's notions of manoeuvring around were rudely knocked aside, and Aberdeen made the running. Pirie just failed to score off a cross by Smith. Celtic's defence was clearly upset by the swinging game the forwards adopted, and after 29 minutes McDermid, from the right, shot a grand goal. Celtic had not settled, and Aberdeen played worthily to maintain their lead. On two occasions Pirie might readily have increased it. With the chance of a run in, he shot hopelessly, and later dallied when a quick shot was the proper thing.

HUTTON AT HIS BEST.

Mclnally, at this time, was alone in giving any fire to the Celtic attack, as the ward of Hutton, and the latter was at the top his game. It was a simple matter for Aberdeen to keep their lines clear. Celts equalised during a minute concentration just before half-time. Thomson shot in, and with a great effort, played the ball on to the cross-bar. Before it was cleared away from goal Thomson found an opening, and gave Blackwell no chance. Aberdeen had certainly taken whatever credit there was in the first half. They were sounder in defence, and far more purposeful forward.
That this bad been due to Celtic being off form was early proved in the second half. Celtic showed some of their usual craft forward, and even although Malloy was a wild finisher there was a promise that was not denied. After five minutes' play with a ball from the left, and making position for himself he shot a fine goal. Celtic were a different side after this. From man to man, far or near, the ball went with a precision that gave Aberdeen little hope in the tackle.
Aberdeen's attacks were only skeleton raids. The inside forwards gave little assistance to the centre, and they were easily confident defenders. Hutton was not so happy in his intervention, and when Malloy got the better of him McInally made use of the cross, Blackwell having no chance to stop a rising shot driven fiercely from eight yards.

TRANSFORMATION.

The play was a transformation from that of the first half, and it is not too much to say that Aberdeen were outclassed. Pirie was keen, but usually played a lone hand. It was not so much individual failure as collective inferiority that affected Aberdeen. At no place could they corner balls. McInally made a brilliant dribble to score a fourth goal.
The 5000 spectators saw a game that gave little excitement. Exceptions to Celtic's almost incessant running when Love failed to beat Shevlin for the ball, and when Hutton forced forward, and from his pass Love turned the ball in for McStey head clear.
Aberdeen were certainly not the fighting force they were in the cup-tie. Blackwell, MacLachlan, Smith, and Pirie were the only players that mattered right through. Had Edward and Cosgrove taken a leaf out of MacLachlan's book and forced play forward without delay, Aberdeen might have retained a chance. Pirie made two palpable misses when Aberdeen were in their best mood, but was the only real trier in the second half. Smith had to fetch and carry for himself latterly, and found the way usually blocked for his speedy raiding. Aberdeen's inside forward supports were such only in name, and the very fact of their falling back gave Celtic the chance of developing their forward excellence.

Changed Tactics.

In the first half Aberdeen made a game of it, and McDermid's success gave more courage to their raiding. In a way Celtic's equaliser, after previous failures, was surprising. Celtic's tactics changed at the turnover, and the left wing got more of the ball, with happy results for them. It can just be said that Aberdeen were a match for Celtic before they settled. After that there was only one team in it. Aberdeen could not repeat their tactics that stood well in the cup-tie.

Source: Press & Journal, 31st March 1926