Aberdeen 1 - 3 Rangers

THERE was further proof at Pittodrie on Saturday that Aberdeen will remain in trouble until they gat an inside forward who can introduce some driving power in attack.

The Dons had almost as many chances as Rangers, but the league champions walked away with the points.
While none of the four goals scored could be termed spectacular, Rangers' outfield work always gave the impression that it would lead to something. Thornton, for instance, was a restless raider, and it was not unusual to see him take on the defence single-handed.
Findlay, too, was a clever ball manipulator, and there was danger to Aberdeen as soon as this pair got on the move.
By comparison, the Dons were ineffective in attack. There was a spell in the first half when they had as much of the play territorially, but they simply could not or would not have a crack at goal.
Yorston and Hather were exceptions, although the inside man was not so prominent in the second half. Hather, however, remained full of running and he gave Young some uncomfortable moments.
It has been suggested that the Ibrox right back should be given a rest from international football. In this game he was not his usual dominating self, some of his first half clearances being weak.

More Compact

On the whole, however, Rangers were more compact in the rear, and their defence-in-depth tactics made one realise how they had come through four league matches without losing a goal.
Of the champions' rearguard only McColl has not been capped, and it should not be long before he is honoured. He and Cox were better than Anderson and Harris when it came to initiating attacks, but the Pittodrie pair worked tremendously hard to get the ball running for their side.
Anderson was especially aggressive, and it was unfortunate that there was such a poor response from the right-wing pair. The Hamilton of old would have had at least one goal, perhaps two, in the first half.
The fact that the first two goals could have been avoided is a black mark against the Aberdeen defenders, but otherwise they did not play too badly.
Waddell was not at all comfortable against the irrepressible Thornton, and he also had the bad luck to put Rangers in the lead twelve minutes after the start.
McKenna headed goalwards for safety, and although Curran appeared to have the ball covered, Waddell intervened and sent the ball into the net.
A quick throw-in by McColl a minute from half-time found the home defence unprepared. Findlay whipped the ball into the goal, and Thornton was there to connect as Curran knocked it down.
Thornton and Findlay were also concerned in Rangers' third goal, fifteen minutes after the interval. This time the process was reversed and after Findlay's try from a Thornton cross had been pushe dout by Curran, in came Rutherford to flick the ball into the empty net.
After Yorston and Hather both had shots which hit Brown's right-hand post it began to look as if Rangers would retire witha clean bill of health. Nine minutes form the end, however, Hamilton managed to penetrate the defensive barrier with a low shot after several tries had been blocked.

Source: Press & Journal, 31st October 1949