Source: The Scotsman, 21st December 1908
PRESENTATION TO TRAINER SIMPSON
At the close of the match, Trainer Simpson was met in the pavilion by a large number of friends, when he was presented with a purse containing solvents, on the occasion of his marriage. The gift was handed over by Mr. James Phillips, manager of the Aberdeen club.Source: Aberdeen Journal, 21st December 1908
The Game of the Season.
The popularity of the Celts as exponents of the great winter game will remain so long as they play football in the manner they did on Saturday. Early starts have the effect of militating against large attendance, but this could not be urged far on Saturday, though we are assured there would have been more than 12,000 present had the kick-off been an hour later. Arriving on Friday night, the Celts put up at the County Hotel, and employed Saturday forenoon in doing the "sights" of the city. Punctual to time Referee Liddell got the men out, the pitch being in first-class order. Aberdeen having lost the toss, set the ball in motion. The early movements betokened that the players were to have and give no quarter. Momentarily we expected to see Adams beaten, but settling down, the Celts' halves gave of their best, and had play transferred to the other end. For about fifteen minutes the home forwards worked the ball better, eluded the halves frequently, and shot for goal to the delight of their partisans. It came as a surprise and a shock when Hamilton, shooting from quite 20 yards, opened the Celts' account. Mutch failed to get a proper hold of the leather, which seemed to glide up his arm, over his shoulder, and into the net. The goalkeeper lacked judgment here, and let his side down badly in an effort he ought to have succeeded in keeping out. Shortly after the second goal was put on from a corner well placed which Lonie got his flapper on and beat Mutch, who made a great effort to save. Aberdeen ought to have been level before half-time, Lennie shooting past the wrong side of the posts with only Adams to beat, and Simpson following suit with a perfect centre from MacEchern shortly after. Half-time came without further scoring, and really the most bigoted partisan could not have grudged the Celts a one-goal lead and no more. Hope was raised immediately the game resumed by some smart work on the home right wing, and but for dallying on Simpson's part, the cross should have materialised. Aberdeen's luck deserted them, and, work the ball as they liked, they could not finish or get through the solid defence put up by the Celts. It was a treat to watch the defence on both sides. McNair and Weir were ever on the alert, while their height and weight staved off Aberdeen's light weights easily. No artifice could elude them, and they kept their goal intact, aided by Adams behind them. Mutch made up for his mistake by saving a couple of marvellous shots in this half, one from Quinn and another from Hay, that were more worth scoring than any that had found the net. Coleman and Hume were splendid in this half, which ended without further scoring. Celts gained their first victory in the League at Pittodrie by 2-0, though on play a draw would have been a fitting result.Play and Players.
Aberdeen players now, know, if they did not before, what it is to run up against a strong, powerful, resourceful defence like what the Celts possess. We have not seen a better. game on Pittodrie this season than that of Saturday. Clean football was shown by both sides and enjoyed by the spectators, and we could be doing with more games of the same kind. The winners owe their success more to the fine work of their defence than to the skill of their attack. Had McNair or Weir failed at any portion, Adams would have been hopelessly beaten. These backs are the best pair we have seen this season on Saturday's play. They never made a mistake, and were never at a loss as to how to get the ball away. The halves were also good, thouhh MacEchern could leave Hay almost every time. The forwards as a line did not show nearly so good football as the home side, but they put some sting behind their, shots. Quinn was too well watched to get away on his own, while Somers and Hamilton got more freedom than did McMenemy and Moran. Mutch made one great mistake by letting through the first goal, while we give him credit for being alive to saving many better shots that would have done his reputation no harm had they passed him. Coleman, despite his illness, was great; while Hume was not far behind. Macintosh had a special mission which he performed without reproach; while Low held a dangerous wing well in hand. Halkett was weak at times, and played considerably under form. MacEchran was the best forward on the field, followed closely by Lennie, and O'Hagan seemed under a cloud all the time, and wandered too much at times, while Simpson was not nearly so nippy as usual, nor nearly so deadly in his shooting.Chatty Bits.
Celtic are always on the outlook for new records, and they made one on Saturday, when they beat Aberdeen for the first time in a League game at Pittodrie. No one will deny that they did not deserve a win, for their defence was of the stone-wall order. Aberdeen had the consolation of having a nice fat gate. The divisable portion was £255, and in all, the total amounted to over £315. That the Celts were pleased with their win, was quite evident, but they all recognised: they had to fight hard for it, and put in all they knew to get there. What impressed several starangers we spoke to, was the absence of any rough or dirty play. The game was free from blemish on both sides, and was a marked improvement on what we saw at Dens Park. Ere these notes appear, Charles O'Hagan will know what the Referees' Committee think of the incident of the at Dens Park. To a player of O'Hagan's temperament, the fact that he was put off has weighed heavily on him, and it had a very bad effect on his play on Saturday. This week will see both the new players engaged by Aberdeen undergo their baptism of criticism. Aberdeen A had a new player with them to Fraserburgh on Saturday in Macconnachie, late of the East End. He is credited with playing a great game. Blackburn was in a new role on Saturday, when he played at centre. He was a trifle fast for some of them, but he scored a couple of good goals. It seems hat Woolwich Arsenal have improperly proached W. J. Boure, of the Queen's Park, and the matter has been put before the International Board.Source: Bon-Accord, 24th December 1908