Aberdeen 1 - 2 Rangers

KENNY THOMSON, the Dons’ centre-half, may sign for Stoke City to-day. I understand the clubs have come to terms, and the final decision now rests with the player.
Thomson and his wife left for Stoke this morning to view a house. The fee has not been divulged, but it will undoubtedly be a record for the Aberdeen club —in the region of £20,000.
I believe so keen were Stoke to secure Thomson’s services that they were prepared to fly him south to-day so that the deal could be completed in time for the player turn out against Burnley in the League match this evening.
If Thomson becomes a Stoke player two other English clubs, Sunderland and Wolves, will be disappointed. Both made a bid for him at the beginning of the season.
Mr Billy Murray, the Sunderland manager, as well as two representatives of Wolves, had a talk with the Aberdeen officials.
Thomson, who is in the near-international class, played for Scotland against a British Army XI. at Newcastle last season. Already this season he has been tipped as a likely Scottish "cap."

At Tynecastle

Stoke first evinced an interest in Thomson last Wednesday, when two of their directors turned up at the Hearts-Aberdeen League Cup-tie at Tynecastle.
Mr Frank Taylor, the manager of the English club, and one of his directors, watched Thomson in action against Rangers at Pittodrie on Saturday and negotiations were started after the game.
If Thomson, who is due a benefit from Aberdeen this season, approves the conditions at Stoke the deal will probably be completed today.
Twenty-two years of age, 6ft. 1in. in height and weighing 12st. 61b.. Thomson joined the Pittodrie placing staff from Banks o' Dee, the Aberdeen junior club, in 1947. While in the Services he played in numerous representative games for the RAF.
When he left his junior club to join the Dons, Thomson cost the Aberdeen club about £lOO.

Right Blend?

Aberdeen F.C. have changed their team for every League Cup tie. The services of twenty players have been utilised in the six games. The displays against Hearts and Rangers suggest that the club is now on the track of the right blend.
These two games have thrown up a couple of promising youngsters in Jack Dunbar and Jimmy Wallace. Naturally they can't be expected to know all the answers yet, with only two games apiece in "A" Division football, but their form clearly points to the fact that they are well worth an extended trial.
A likeable type is Dunbar. The former Kilbirnie Ladeside leader is still a bit coltish, but he has some neat touches and is strong and enthusiastic. His height gives him an advantage with the ball in the air, and on Saturday he gave internationalist Woodburn one of the most harassing afternoons he must have had for some time. Aberdeen seem to have made a find in six-foot Dunbar.
No less promising than Dunbar was Jimmy Wallace, who learned his football with Banks o’ Dee. The young left half tackled with determination and supported the forwards in great style in the first half. On this form Harris will have difficulty in regaining his place in the League side.

Plucky

Smith hadn't as happy an experience against Waddell but the former Sunnybank player any amount of pluck. I doubt if there is any back in Scotland who will get much change out of Waddell when the Rangers' favourite is in the mood.
Both against Hearts and Rangers there was a definite improvement in the play of the Dons. They looked and played more like a team. In the first half the half-backs held a good grip, and Anderson and Wallace provided a useful service to the forwards.
The Dons were the better team in this period, and deserved their interval lead. There was a disappointing flavour, however, about the last of the two goals in the second half.
The Aberdeen players and many of the 36,000 spectators thought Paton was offside when he crossed the ball from which Thornton scored the winner. The Dons’ defenders seemed to hesitate when Thornton sidefooted the ball over the line.

Hesitancy

Again there seemed be hesitancy on the part of the defence when Waddell gathered the ball from which he scored the first goal. Evidently the Aberdeen players had made up their minds the winger couldn't reach the ball before it crossed the by-line.
The Aberdeen team as a whole played with more confidence and cohesion on Saturday than they have done before this season, and they can go forward to the League campaign in more hopeful mood.
Buckley should have recovered from his ankle injury this week and Hamilton will soon be available. With this pair at their disposal Aberdeen should be able to field a clever and lively attack.

Source: Evening Express, 1st September 1952