1923-01-01: Rangers 2-0 Celtic, League Division 1

Match Pictures | Matches: 19221923 | 1923 Pictures

Trivia

  • The Glasgow Herald reports a protest by the Scottish Hunger Marchers and their English supporters because of the poor accomodation and food (bread and skilly) they were provided with in London.  LINK
  • Elsewhere in the Herald the news that Little Titch is appearing at the Empire Theatre.
  • Again in the Herald a report of Mussolini taking the salute of a fascisti parade from the balcony in Palazzo Chigi in Rome.

Review

In shocking playing conditions, Celtic lose the New Year derby by two goals to nil. Talisman Patsy Gallacher suffers an injury.

Teams

RANGERS: Robb, Reid, McCandless, Nicholson, Dixon, Muirhead, Archibald, Cunningham, Hansen, Cairns, Morton

CELTIC: Shaw, Murphy, McStay , Gilchrist, Cringan, McMaster, McAtee, Gallacher, Cassidy, McFarlane, McLean 

Referee: T. Dougray (Bellshill)
Attendance: 50,000
Goals: Hansen (1-0) (49), Archibald (2-0) (57)

Articles

  • Match Report (see end of page below)

Pictures

  • Match Pictures

Articles

Match report from The Scotsman, 2nd January 1923

IN THE MIST AT IBROX
It is open to question whether the match at Ibrox Park should have been played. The fog was dense, and at no time could the spectators see the whole of the playing pitch. Added to this the ground was extremely hard, so that the match was anything but a satisfactory test. From what was seen of the play the Rangers were the superior team, their forwards especially excelling. There was no scoring in the first half, but four minutes after the restart, when the fog had lifted somewhat, Hansen dribbled through the Celtic defence and scored a fine goal. Eight minutes later Archibald, from twenty yards range, scored a second goal for the Rangers. The Celtic defence was sound, and Shaw saved brilliantly on several occasions. Gallacher had to play for the greater part of the second half at outside left owing to an injury. Attendance, 50,000. Before the start many of the spectators demanded their money back, as the fog would prevent them seeing much, if any, of the play.

The Glasgow Herald – 02 Jan, 1922

RANGERS v. CELTIC

Football as usual, offered to holidaymakers and agreeable recreation for their New Year vacation, and it was unfortunate that, following upon tend  days of wet weather, fog developed, and threatened to spoil – and ultimately did spoil – the annual dual between the two greatest clubs in Scottish League football, Rangers and Celtic. Frost and fog were experienced with the advent of the New Year, but in a mild degree, and at Ibrox Park the sun was promising to come through a slight fog so near to starting time at one o’clock. What happened afterwards was probably unprecedented, a bank of fog rolling up from the river and enveloping the ground. It was a difficult situation for the officials, but the referee decided to start proceedings. The playing pitch was little affected, but the overhead conditions became worse, and during the entire first half the game was farcical. No player was visible ten yards from either boundary line, and the ball could not be followed from the moment it was impelled by a player. The light improved as the game restarted, and 30 minutes play was visible. In that period Rangers scored two goals, Hansen and Archibald being responsible, and undoubtedly they were the quite superior eleven to that extent. In 29 years’ intercourse between the two clubs difficulties have been encountered, but it is remarkable that none of the engagements, though played in the most uncertain period meteorologically, have been interrupted. The position yesterday was well handled by the officials, but it is doubtful if under similar conditions play would have been permitted at all in any but a New Year’s Day Rangers-Celtic engagement.

Rangers made progress at the start, but Gilchrist stopped the raid, and McLean forced a corner. Nothing came of it and Rangers got away, Shaw being called on. Morton had a good run in the direction of the Celtic goal but shot past. Rangers pressed, and Shaw had to handle from Archibald. Near the end of the first half Celtic resumed the aggressive, but there was no scoring. After change of ends the game was more in favour of Rangers. Hansen picked up a pass from Cunningham and opened the scoring. A few minutes later Archibald scored a second goal for the home side. Celtic resumed the pressure. Gallagher heading over, but Rangers dominated the game to the finish. Thick fog prevailed throughout.