Rangers 4 - 0 Aberdeen

At Ibrox Park, Glasgow, before 10,000 spectators. Campbell scored three times for the Rangers in the first half, and Livingstone got the fourth goal in the second. Result:- Rangers, four goals, Aberdeen, nothing.

Source: The Scotsman, 26th August 1907

Aberdeen played their first away Scottish League match for the season on Saturday, when they opposed the Ringers at Ibrox Park, Glasgow. Macfarlane, who got hurt the previous week while playing against the Clyde, was unable to turn out for Aberdeen, and his place was taken by Mutch, the "A" team goalkeeper. Fully 20,000 spectators witnessed the game. The teams lines up at four o'clock as follows:-

Aberdeen: Mutch; McIntosh, Hume; Halkett, Drain, Wilson; McDonald, Muir, Murray, O'Hagan, Lennie.
Rangers: Newbigging; Jackson, Craig; Gordon, May, Galt; McDonald, Livingstone, Campbell, Kyle, Smith.
Referee - Mr. Faichnie, Falkirk.

Rangers kicked off against the wind. The start was sensational, for after two minutes' play the Rangers were a goal up. A long pass from the centre gave McDonald an opening, and, steadying himself about a yard from the Aberdeen goal-line, the outside right crossed beautifully to the centre. Campbell rushed up and met the ball with his head, Mutch having no chance to save. This early success was followed by brilliant play on the part of the Rangers, who maintained the upper hand throughout the first half. Their left wing was repeatedly dangerous, and it required all the effort of Halkett and McIntosh to keep Kyle and Smith in check. The first corner in the game fell to the Rangers. Smith placed finely, Campbell heading into goal, but Mutch was in readiness and cleared. Aberdeen could make little headway against the Rangers' powerful half-back line. Hume had many exciting tussles with Livingstone, but the Aberdeen back frequently got the better of the ex-Manchester player. The Aberdeen forwards failed to work in harmony, Murray, in the centre being unable to keep the wings going. A promising run by the Aberdeen right wing was spoiled through McDonald fouling the ball near the penalty line. Alec Smith and Kyle combined beautifully on the left wing, and a fast shot from the outside man was saved by McIntosh at the expense of a corner. The Light Blues were easily the better team in all departments, their football being much in advance of that shown by the Pittodrie team. Lennie raced away on the left wing, and, getting round Jackson, the Aberdeen winger centred squarely, but Murray, with a clear run in on goal, was pulled up for offside. Still the Rangers held the upper hand, for even when Aberdeen were near their opponents' goal, there were few, if any, shots sent in the direction f Newbigging. The Rangers' forwards, admirably supported by their half-backs, adopted the wide-passing game, McDonald's crosses from the extreme right being frequently picked up by Smith. Try as they might, Aberdeen were unable to make any impression on the Rangers' defence. Drain, Halkett, and Hume were all prominent in the Aberdeen defence, McDonald's cross is from the right wing causing no end of trouble, while Campbell required a lot of watching in the centre. Following upon an onslaught on the Aberdeen goal, Kyle rattled the crossbar with a terrific drive close in. A momentary breakaway by Aberdeen ended in Lennie centring almost from the goal line, but Jackson cleared with a huge punt. There was no holding back the Rangers, however, and thrice in succession Mutch saved shots from Kyle, Livingstone, and May, last named sending in a very fast low shot, which Mutch just managed to hold close on the goal post. As the game went on the Rangers' superiority became more marked, while Aberdeen were completely out played. Hume, however, gave Mutch plenty of support, and the Aberdeen goalkeeper fairly rose to the occasion. Several shots from the Rangers' forwards struck the Aberdeen defenders, the ball time and again being stopped in its progress to wards goal merely by accident, while Mutch was cheered for his brilliant saving when all seemed lost. On play the Rangers ought to at least have been three goals up. Their forwards gave a magnificent display, keeping the ball on the ground for the most part, while all over there appeared to be a perfect understanding between the men. In short they were in a class by themselves. Aberdeen were continually on the defence, their forwards being easily held in check by the opposing half-backs. Half an hour elapsed with the Rangers leading by a goal, but the persistent attacks were at last rewarded with a second goal. Breaking away on the left, Kyle worked his way along the wing, when Campbell crossed over from centre. Seeing his opportunity, Kyle passed the ball ahead to Campbell. The centre forward picked up the pass, and that once made off in the direction of Mutch. He slipped past McIntosh, and then cleverly eluded Hume, who had come to the assistance of his partner. Campbell's next move was easily accomplished, for he had only Mutch in front of him, the result being that Campbell simply walked the ball into the net. The same forward almost scored immediately afterwards, being pulled up by Drain within a yard of goal. Alec Smith got away on the left, and finished with a low drive, which Mutch caught away with difficulty. Back came the Rangers eager to increase their lead. Macdonald and Livingstone got right through the Aberdeen defence, and, with a clear opening, Livingston shot close in, the ball going straight for the far corner of the net, but the Aberdeen goalkeeper darted across and cleared marvellously. The Rangers were indeed the only team in the game, their forwards having matters all their own way. Aberdeen could do nothing right. Their opponents were quicker on the ball, and they were always in the right place when receiving a pass from the half-backs. Nearing half-time the Rangers increase their lead to three goals, Campbell again scoring. The movement leading up to the goal began on the right wing. Macdonald, receiving a pass from Livingston, raced along the touch line, but subsequently crossed the ball to the left. Smith was soon in possession, and finished up with a fast, low shot. Mutch came out to clear, but was just a second too late, for Campbell rushed in and beat the Aberdeen goalkeeper for the third time. No further scoring took place in the first 45 minutes, and at half time the game stood - Rangers 3 goals, Aberdeen 0.

The second half opened all in favour of the Rangers. In the first minute Macdonald was prominent on the right wing. Getting round the defence, he sent in a beautiful shot from a difficult to angle. The ball game spinning into goal high up two wards the near corner. Mutch made this spring from one side to the other, bringing off a brilliant save. Kyle next made a great effort to beat Aberdeen's goalkeeper. He worked himself into a nice position, and then let drive. Mutch to himself at the ball, and, while at full stretch, he cleverly saved his charge from downfall. It is almost unnecessary to go into details regarding the play during the second half. Indeed, that is no exaggeration to say that Mutch saved the Aberdeen team from a double-figure defeat. The Rangers were really shooting for goal during almost the entire second half. Shots were rained in on Mutch from all directions. Kyle tried him with low fast drives; Macdonald and Livingstone did their best to score with high shots, but Mutch appeared to be here, they're, and everywhere. For a time play slowed down, the Rangers being apparently content with their big lead. Interest in the game was reduced to a minimum. Aberdeen struggled along as best they could, but they made little headway. Jackson sent in a long shot from fully 30 yards out, but once more the Aberdeen goalkeeper brought off a very fine clearance. Latterly the game was a struggle between Mutch and the Rangers team. Hume and Drain gave the goalkeeper a good deal of assistance in keeping out the Rangers, but the Aberdeen team, as a whole, gradually lost heart, the Rangers' superiority being such that the visiting players were seldom across midfield. Latterly a fine centre from Macdonald was hooked into goal by Livingstone, the goalkeeper having little chance of saving. The remainder of the game was devoid of incident, and when time was called the scores stood - Rangers 4 goals, Aberdeen 0.

It is almost impossible to speak to highlight of the goal keeping of Mutch.one but for his marvellous this play, the Rangers' victory would undoubtedly have been more pronounced.

The gate realised £386; stands, £50 - total, £436.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal, 26th August 1907