| Match Pictures | Matches: 1949 – 1950 | 1949-50 Pictures |
Trivia
- This was the match in 1949 when Celtic, irritated by shocking refereeing decisions in two recent Old Firm matches, called upon their supporters not to attend the league fixture at Ibrox. Celtic had tried to get this game postponed following the incidents in the last two games between Rangers and Celtic but their request was turned down. Robert Kelly spoke to every Celtic player individually to warn them of their conduct in this game.
- This was Willie Rennet’s debut game.
- Reportedly, it was a day which Celtic fans were boycotting, and the Celtic end was just 1/10th full!
- The match report reflected the poor state of Celtic by stating that:
“A Rangers v Celtic match used to be the greatest club game in the world; now it is an anaemic lustreless fixture“.
Review
This was the match in 1949 when Celtic, irritated by shocking refereeing decisions in two recent Old Firm matches, called upon their supporters not to attend the league fixture at Ibrox.
The attendance was 65,000 and a substantial drop from the 95,000 who had attended the recent League Cup tie at the same ground. Celtic fielded a weakened side, having dropped Charlie Tully who had been involved in ‘an incident’ with Rangers’ Sammy Cox; Tully was said to be ‘…. recovering from a muscle strain in Ulster’.
Rangers did not drop Cox, seen being tackled by Alec Boden. The bottom photograph shows Rangers being awarded a penalty kick (rightly) after Celtic’s right back McGuire had crudely challenged Tiger Shaw, playing on the left wing for Rangers because of an injury. because of Robert Kelly’s special directive to the players and the nature of the last few games between the sides this became a game of limp febrile tackles, other than McGuire that is, who gave away the penalty.
Ultimately McGuire paid the penalty and played only in one further game this season and was given a free transfer at the end of the season.
Rangers dominated the proceedings throughout and were awarded the obligatory penalty which Waddell this time scored from.
Teams
Rangers:
Brown; Young, Shaw; McColl, Woodburn, Rae; Waddell, Findlay, Williamson, Cox, Rutherford
Scorers: Rutherford (6), Findlay (43), Waddell (pen 85), Williamson (88)
Celtic:
Miller, McGuire, Milne; Evans, Boden, Baillie; Collins, McPhail, Haughney, Taylor, Rennet.
Scorers:
Referee:
Attendance: 65,000
Articles
- Match Report
Pictures
Articles
Glasgow Herald September 1949
