Rangers 2 - 0 Aberdeen

Sam Allan's debut at back together with the enforced changes in the front rank of the famous Light Blues, doubtless accounted in large measure for the 25,000 crowd who witnessed the return First League game at Ibrox Park. Aberdeen, too, were handicapped in having to take the field without Lennie and Main, the deputies being Miller and McIntosh respectively. The opening half-hour was full of hard, earnest , if not scientific football. The visiting vanguard were obviously off colour, and this, combined with a refreshing display on the part of the home defence, particularly the half-back trio, where Galt's forcing tactics were always in evidence, accounted for their ineffectiveness in front of goal. The young Rangers, on the other hand, who were not unnaturally a trifle nervous, more often beat themselves than they were overcome by the opposing defence, but when Parker diverted Paterson's centre into the net far out of Grieg's reach, that success proved the turning point of the game. Rangers crossed over with a lead of a goal to nil.
In the second half the young Rangers moved in confident fashion, and when Goodwin clinched another of Paterson's deadly centres, the fate of the Aberdonians seemed sealed. With the exception of a hot shot from Wood, Lock was never seriously troubled, and the Rangers won comfortably by two goals to nothing. Allan, who will undoubtedly improve with training, easily held Soye and Walker. He played a cool and confident game throughout, in which his placing of the ball to his forwards was always conspicuous. Rangers won easily and with Reid in the attack it is no exaggeration to say that the score would have been heavier. Result:- Rangers, two goals; Aberdeen, nothing.

Source: The Scotsman, 22nd January 1912

That there was easily a two-goal difference between Rangers and Aberdeen none could deny, and, indeed, it was only the brilliance of the Aberdeen defence, and the specially of the goalkeeper, that kept the champions from increasing their lead. In the first half there was little between the sides, and when Rangers crossed over a goal to the good, they were scarcely value for the fact. Aberdeen played up in wonderful fashion until Rangers got a lucky goal, the ball striking the upright and glancing into the net after Parker had headed from patterson's cross. At the other end, Millar lost a great chance for Aberdeen, sending the ball wide from 3 yards' range. Lock saved in brilliant fashion from Wood, and on several other occasions the Aberdeen forwards lost easy chances to score through slackness in following up. As time wore on, the Rangers got more into the game, and end to end play was the order. In the second half the Aberdeen forwards could scarcely get a move on, and the Rangers' forwards and Aberdeen defence monopolised the game. Time after time the rear divisions of the Aberdeen were harried, and still they defied disaster. Such pressure as that applied by the Rangers, however, was bound to tell, and it was no surprise when Goodwin added a second goal, with Greig lying on the ground after having stopped Parker. One of the most exciting periods of the game was wind, three times in succession, Hume cleared from below the bar, with Greig out of his goal. On the few occasions that the Aberdeen forwards got off, they seldom threatened danger, but once Wood was badly tripped by Campbell when almost through. In the later stages of the game, there was considerable feeling shown, and there were numerous stoppages on account of injuries to players on both sides, while the referee was kept busy lecturing the delinquents. Right up to the close Rangers held the upper hand, and Greig repeatedly cleared in brilliant style. The victory was a popular one, and was well deserved. In spite of counter attractions in the city, about 18,000 people witnessed the game, and the drawings totalled about £450.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal, 22nd January 1912

Sam Allan who was playing for Rangers was a Hibs' player.