Aberdeen 2 - 3 Rangers

Aberdeen never appeared to recover from the loss of an early goal to Rangers at Pittodrie, and although the latter only won by 3 goals to 2, the score does not adequately reflect their superiority. Aberdeen made a scrambling sort of fight of it, but neither in method nor in neatness and accuracy of movement could they be compared to the winners, and the general impression formed after the match was that, measured by the standard of Rangers, the Pittodrie team will have to be considerably strengthened if any marked measure of success is to be attained in subsequent games.
Rangers obtained the first goal immediately following the kick-off, and McSevich when he picked the ball from the net was the first Aberdeen man to touch it. From Fleming's pass Archibald made headway, then slipped the ball to Muirhead, and the latter's pass was adroitly turned into the net by Fleming, the ball glancing in off an upright. After 17 minutes' play, Cunningham, Archibald, and Fleming participated in another triangular movement, which gave Rangers a second goal, Fleming banging the ball into the net after McSevich had been drawn out. Aberdeen made furtive attempts, mainly on the right wing, to make progress, but their forward and half-back play was weak compared with that of Rangers, who frequently came near to increasing their lead. Eleven minutes before half-time Wilson commenced a movement which resulted in McDermid picking a pass from Cosgrove and beating the Rangers' goalkeeper with a brilliant drive from 18 yards. For time there was big improvement in the play of the Aberdeen attack, and Hamilton was several times in action, but just on half-time Morton got away from a long pass forward by McPhail, and resisting two challenges worked close in before whipping the ball smartly into the net with his right foot, and Rangers crossed over with a lead of 3 goals to 1.

RANGERS ERRATIC SHOOTING.

The second half produced only one goal, and it was scored by Aberdeen, but, curiously enough, the game favoured the visitors, even more than in the first period. Two minutes after the game had been resumed Meiklejohn was penalised for hands just outside the penalty area, and Smith taking the free kick, lobbed the ball over to the right. McDermid in turn transferred it forward, and Cosgrove, with an overhead kick, hooked it into the net. Subsequently play ruled greatly in favour of Rangers. Their outfield work at times was brilliant, but their shooting, while not lacking in power, was badly directed, and frequently from too long range. Archibald, Fleming, and Morton were the forwards who indulged most in shooting, but Muirhead and Cunningham also had tries. McSevich was repeatedly in action, often distinguishing himself with smart saves. Generally it was Rangers' match in the period, and but for the inaccuracy of their shooting they would have scored more goals.

OUTSTANDING PLAYERS.

For Aberdeen, McSevich did excellent work in goal, showing coolness and resource in many trying situations. Jackson was the better back, Livingstone being slow, and frequently mistiming his tackles. Edward was the best of a half-back line whose play fell short of that of the Rangers' trio, Black, the newcomer to this division, being slow. In the forward line Wilson, who showed many clever touches, and McDermid were most prominent.
Hamilton had a comparatively easy afternoon in Rangers' goal, and Gray and McCandless were a sound pair of backs. Muirhead, Meiklejohn, and Craig were always prominent, and in a brilliant set of forwards Fleming, Cunningham, and Archibald were best, although in the second half the shooting of all the Ibrox attackers was faulty.

Source: Press & Journal, 15th August 1927