Rangers 2 - 2 Aberdeen

IBROX DRAW FULLY JUSTIFIED

ROBEY ADJUDGED "PROMISING"

MILLS-ARMSTRONG BRILLIANCE

Although twice in arrears, Aberdeen fought Rangers to a draw on Saturday at Ibrox Park. In doing so they accomplished probably their best performance of the season to date.
A pleasing feature was the display of Robey, the Dons' recruit from Aston Villa, who gives promise of solving the left-back problem.

DESERVING RESULT

There was a cup-tie atmosphere about the game and, if anything, Aberdeen finished the stronger team. Still, a draw did neither team an injustice.
Rangers were the more dangerous company in the first half and led at the interval by the odd goal in three. The Dons held the balance of play in the second half.
With the teams level Rangers, towards the close, staged their customary strong rally. This was successfully withstood by Aberdeen, who countered with a final burst which had the champions' defence in difficulties.
The play of the Dons' attack at times was the best Scottish tradition, but was marred by their tendency to overdo the close passing. Had their driving power been more pronounced both points might very easily have landed at Pittodrie, as the Rangers' defence gave evidence of shakiness under pressure.
Rangers' play, although not so attractive to watch, was more direct and always carried a threat. While not the machine of a season or two ago the Light Blues are by no means the spent force that some of the critics would have us believe.

QUICK WORK

Both Rangers' goals were secured before the Aberdeen defence had fully settled down. The opening goal came in twenty-five minutes following a Main corner kick. A drive by McPhail rebounded from the upright and Smith gave Johnstone no chance.
Aberdeen's equalising goal five minutes later was a highlight of the match, and an example of Mills-Armstrong co-operation. Mills took a freekick just outside the penalty area and instead of shooting hard for goal cutely slipped the ball to the unmarked Armstrong and the centre hit a low shot hard into the back of the net.
Rangers regained the lead in thirty-five minutes, Smith scoring with a header from a suspiciously offside position.

LEVEL AGAIN

McKenzie put the teams on level terms twenty-three minutes after the restart. He accepted a slip from Mills and. with the Ibrox defence looking on. he took time to pick his spot in the net.
Honours were even in the respective defences. Johnstone in the Aberdeen goal gave an excellent display. Robey took some time to settle down, but in the second half gave a clever and fearless display. Cooper is at present playing to his best form and on Saturday he gave Turnbull little scope.
Nicholson found Smith an awkward opponent, but had the measure of the Rangers' leader in the second half. Fraser and Thomson were two hardworking half-backs, and never spared themselves.

SPLENDID LEADER

Armstrong led the line judiciously, his distribution being better than that of his vis-a-vis. Mills was the schemer of the team, combining half-back and forward play with skill.
McKenzie's faculty of holding the ball came in useful in drawing the defence, and he proved that he also can snap a chance. The extreme wingers were patchy and seldom threatened any real danger.
Galloway, who was making his debut, was the star of the Rangers' attack. His ball control and shooting were first-rate. Main was seen at his best in the first half, and Smith, although he scored two goals, was erratic. The Rangers' left wing was subdued. McPhail having lost much of his old fire.

Source: Press & Journal, 28th February 1938