Rangers 4 - 0 Aberdeen

By NORMAN MACDONALD

HUGH HAY was the Dons’ best forward against Rangers at Ibrox Park. The 20-year-old Aberdeen lad has made great strides this season and is rapidly approaching his best.
It is all the more regrettable that he is likely to be lost to the Dons early in the New Year. Unless the Pittodrie club is very lucky indeed they will be without Hay's services in the Scottish Cup-ties.
The inside left completes his apprenticeship as an engineer on January 4. He already had his medical and he told me at the week-end that he expects to be called for National Service before the first round of the cup on Saturday 24.
The last two games against Queen of the South and Rangers, have done nothing to erase the doubts which have never been completely disassociated with the Aberdeen defence this season.
Eight goals have been lost in these two games and the forwards, who up to that stage had been scoring freely, have failed hit the mark.

Hamilton Missed

On actual plav there was probably not four goals between the Dons and Rangers on Saturday. Despite the fact that Hamilton was missed and the right wing made no notable contribution to the match, the forwards and half-backs played some clever football.
None of the Rangers’ four goals was of the type to send the spectators into rhapsodies. As matter of fact the first was so irritatingly simple that the Ibrox faithful forgot to cheer.
Aberdeen's best scoring effort came from Harris after smart play by Buckley, Hther and Rodger. How Niven managed to knuckle the right half's full-blooded drive over the bar is a mystery.
And I would make bold to say that the best shot of the day by a Rangers' player did not yield a goal. it was a glorious drive by Prentice from a through pass from McColl, and the ball rebounded off the underside of the crossbar.

Harris Shines

Hamilton's absence was frlet in rhe Aberdeen front rank. Rodger was a trier, but he is not as accomplished a player as Hamillon. More disappointing than Rodger, however, was Boyd. The right winger was lacking in enterprise, and he will certainly have to step up on this form.
He showed in the East Fife game at Pittodrie that, in the right mood, he can produce results. He must find the right mood more frequently.
If Hay was the outstanding forward, Harris was unquestionably the star in the rear division. The burly right half played aggressive football, and did his best to urge on the forwards. Allister, too, played a useful part by keeping Grierson pretty well subdued.
Martin in goal is still not the decisive 'keeper be was in the early part of the season and was involved in the loss of the first goal. Mitchell at right back never got grip of Hubbard and had a poor game, while Young at centre-half failed to inspire confidence.
It looks as if Aberdeen F.C. will have to find a deputy for Hay before the cup-ties, and it would enhance their prospects considerably if they could find a player of the type who would provide the same inspiration in defence as Hamilton does in attack.

Source: Evening Express, 8th December 1952