Aberdeen 1 - 3 Rangers

Dons Well Beaten in Last Home League Game.

Seventeen thousand spectators turned out at Pittodrie on Saturday for the Aberdeen-Rangers game. It was the Dons' last home League game, and hopes were high that they would finish with a victory.
Five minutes after the start these hopes received a bad blow in the shape of goal for the Light Blues.
The Aberdeen team did little to raise enthusiasm again among their supporters. Certainly they drew level before the interval, but Rangers always seemed to have the game well in hand and the issue was never really in doubt.

Better Team Won.

That the better team won there is no denying. Rangers were better equipped both in defence and attack, and their play was such as to suggest, that they will again bring off the "double."
Saturday's victory established them League champions, and this week they will make a bid to retain the Cup against Hamilton Accies.
The Dons failed to touch their best form on Saturday, and compared unfavourably with the men from Ibrox Park. Despite the fact that Rangers were below strength - Meiklejohn, Brown and Main were absentees - they played with cohesion and skill. Some of their movements were a delight to watch, the ball travelling from man to man with machine-like precision.

Aberdeen Disjointed.

Aberdeen, on the other hand, were disjointed and lacking in originality.
All three of the Rangers' goals were well taken. The first, scored five minutes after the start, knocked the Dons out their stride, while it gave the Light Blues confidence. Craig slipped the ball to McPhail, and Smith dashed after the iniside-left's through pass at top speed to slash the ball into the net.
Although Aberdeen held their own in the subsequent exchanges Rangers ever threatened danger when they got on the move.
Twice the Dons might have equalised before they did, less than a minute from the interval. Armstrong carried the ball through and passed to Mills. The inside-left half-wheeled and shot; Dawson knocked the ball down and fell on top it, but it had crossed the line, although the Rangers' players claimed no goal.
The champions were not long in equality. Three minutes after the restart McPhail sent the ball thundering info the net after centre-forward Smith had nodded the ball to his foot.

Another for Rangers.

The game had run six minutes when the champions went further ahead. McPhail carried the ball downfield and swung it out to the left. Gillick beat Cooper to it, and his drive rebounded off the underside of the crossbar into the net.
The Aberdeen defence had a harassing time, and more than once wavered before the methodical movements of the Rangers' attack.
Steve Smith came out the game with credit. The shots that beat him were of the unstoppable variety. He distinguished himself by saving a penalty conceded by Falloon for obstructing Smith, the leader. Steve punched over McPhail's spot-kick with one hand.
Both Cooper and McGill experienced difficulty stopping their respective wingers, and never entirely succeeded in holding them in check.
# Thomson was the best half, getting through a power of work in defence. was disappointing in the first, half, but improved after the interval, while Falloon found Smith a hot handful.

Good But Not Brilliant.

Not one of the Aberdeen forwards distinguished himself. Mills and Moore were best, but they were far from brilliant. Although a great trier, Armstrong got few chances, thanks to the close attentions of the crafty Simpson. He missed one opportunity in the first half, however, when he raced through from a Mills slip to send past.
Benyon, on the extreme right, got across one or two nice balls, but Gray never gave Ritchie Smith a chance. The left-winger was weak.
Dawson in goal was confident, while the understanding between Simpson, and McDonald was first-rate. Kennedy and Craig were sound wing halves.
The attack played with understanding and skill. McPhail took the honours. He was the instigator of many of the attacks, scoring one goal and having a hand in the others.
Smith was a dashing and dangerous leader, and he received good support from Venters. Gillick and Fiddes, the wingers, were fast and tricky.

Source: Press & Journal, 15th April 1935