The Scotsman - Monday, 14th March 1892, page 4

FOOTBALL
ASSOCIATION.

The final tie for the Scottish Cup between the Queen's Park and Celtic played on Saturday, created extraordinary interest in Glasgow and indeed, throughout the country. The "gate” was a record one, it being calculated thet 40,000 spectators were present and the money value of the attendance was officially stated to exceed £1450. So great was the rush, that although the gate were closed nearly an hour before the start, the spectators on croached on the touch line and as a result of protests lodged by both teams for this reason, the Association have ordered the tie to be replayed on April 9. The wintry weather caused the postponement of a great many Rugby matches.

QUEEN'S PARK v CELTIC.
FINAL TIE SCOTTISH CUP.

Without parallel in the history of football was the interest excited over this year’s Scottish Cup Final, which was regarded as in some sense a trial of strength between the principal League club and the leading club outside that body. Looking to the large following which both the Celtic and Queen's Park- the finalists on this occasion – command, as well as the interest taken in the fixture by football followers generally; it was confidently felt that the attendance would constitute a record for Scotland, If not also for Great Britain, the record previous to Saturday having been established in England under the Rugby code. Bearing this in mind, the most elaborate arrangements had been made by the Executive of the Rangers’ Club, on whose ground the match was played, for the accommodation of a vast crowd. Extensive stands had been erected all round the ground, the sides and the corners of the field of play had been banked up so that all could obtain a view of the game, and additional entrances had been provided. As early as twelve o'clock— four hours before the time advertised for the start of the game – the gates of Ibrox Park were thrown open for the admission of the public, and even at that early hour dozens put in an appearance at the ground. From one o'clock the crowd poured in in hundreds and when half-past two o'clock arrived the spacious ground seemed packed to its utmost capacity. Thousands, however, still continued to pour in, and as a consequence, the only thing to be expected took place—the crowd in front were forced over the barricade on to track, and having got thus far, a regular stampede took place from the entrance gates right over the field of play, till on both sides of the ground the spectators encroached on the touch line. During the stampede, the crowd made a vigorous attack on the old stand on the north side of the ground which was already tightly packed, but the occupants succeeded in beating them off. The police arrangements were totally inadequate to stem the rush, and it was not till some mounted police arrived on the ground that the crowd was cleared back so as to be clear of the touch line. At ten minutes past three it was found necessary to close the gates, and large numbers tried ineffectually to gain admission. Before the game started the attendance was calculated to number close upon 40,000, representing over £1450, and the scene which then presented itself was one never to be forgotten. Every few minutes the rush on the part of the enthusiastic followers of the game was renewed, and in view of the increased excitement which would ensue when the game was started, it was felt that the match would not be allowed to proceed as a cup tie. This turned out to be correct, as several times the game had to be stopped, and by mutual agreement the teams at length decided that the match would not rank as a cup tie, and a protest was accordingly lodged by each with the referee, Mr Sneddon, President of the Association. Early in the second period the spectators seemed to have become aware of this fact, and a good deal of interest died out of the game, which might possibly account for the absence of that excitement at the finish which has, on many previous occasions, characterised the termination of a Scottish final. Prior to the match, opinion ruled about equal as to which team would secure the much-coveted honour, but a powerful factor in favour of the Queen’s Park was the fact that they had figured in nine of the eighteen previous finals, and in none of these had been beaten, while their opponents, founded in 1888, had only once previously – the first year of their existence – passed through the ordeal of a final, and on that occasion were beaten by the Third Lanark. It was therefore a surprise to many that the Celts managed to emerge from the contest victorious by a goal to nothing, especially under the peculiarly exciting circumstances under which the match was played. The Association, as was confidently expected, at a meeting on Saturday evening, sustained the protests lodged, and in view of the international engagements, deferred the replaying of the tie till the 9th April. The same ground was chosen as the venue, but the charge for admission to 2s., which the view of having the crowd of manageable dimensions. The game was started sharp to time, the only change in the teams being Arnott’s absence from the ranks of the Hampden Park eleven. Kelly having lost the toss, the Celts kicked off. It was soon apparent that the softness of the ground would to some extent affect the play, and the Celtic at the start seemed to be most handicapped on this score, as the Queen’s had all the best of the opening stages of the game. Before two minutes had elapsed Cullen was compelled to handle the ball, and hardly had the pressure been relieved than the Queen’s again bore down on him. Sellars had an open goal before him, but to the chagrin of the Queen’s followers he shot wildly, and the effort went for nothing. Rousing themselves, the Celts made a raid on their opponents goal, but Smellie averted the danger, and the ball being then well taken up by Hamilton, the Irishmen had once more to defend their lines. Doyle was passed by the Queen’s centre, but Reynolds gave his team relief. So far as the game had proceeded the Queen’s had easily held the upper hand, and they seemed at length likely to score, but Gulliland was at the critical moment charged down by Reynolds. A free kick was awarded by Mr Sneddon, but nothing came from it. Not long afterwards the Queen’s were again bombarding the Celtic citadel, and a shot from Hamilton again caused Cullen to use his hands. After a little pressure by the Queen’s the game had to be stopped for a few minutes by reason of the encroachment of the crowd on the Celtic goal, but after the mounted police has been requisitioned the game was resumed. Soon after the resumption the Celtic goal had two very narrow escapes, and this apparently had the effect of rousing the Irishmen to show their real merits, for they immediately came down the field in beautiful style, Campbell leading a splendid dribble. Though Sellars kicked into touch, Kelly got the ball when it was thrown out, and put in a high dropping shot which many thought had taken effect, but it went just over the bar. The Celtic now did a period of pressing, but it did not last long, as once more the Queen’s got down the field, and Stewart all but landed a goal by a fine effort from near midfield, which was followed by an attempt on the part of Waddell, which Cullen also, however, succeeded in keeping out. For the next ten minutes play was of a fluctuating nature, M’Mahon almost on one occasion scoring for the Celts, while Hamilton, with a fine opportunity for scoring sent in an erratic shot for the Queen’s. It was only at this point that the Celts began to show their true form, and having now got quite into the spirit of the game, they fairly held their own with the Queen’s, Campbell on one occasion losing a certain goal for them by heading outside of the posts. Half-time arrived, however, without any scoring. In the second half, the Celts showed surprising form when compared with that with which they opened the game. In the early stage of the second half the Queen’s backs had all their work cut out to keep the Irishmen in check, but after a period of hard pressure they managed to raise the siege in beautiful style, and passing the ball on to their forwards, the latter took it right to the Celtic goal line. Sellar was entrusted with the parting kick, but sent the ball wide. The Celts again assuming the aggressive, Madden tried Baird with a splendid shot, which the latter fell in saving, Campbell, however, completed the effort in putting the ball through for the Celts, the point being the signal for an extraordinary outburst of enthusiasm. Just as the game was restarted, the Queen’s dashed off in brilliant fashion, and Hamilton sent through a beautiful shot, but to the disappointment of the supporters of the Hampden Park team, the whistle had previously blown. From this point the Celtic continued to show up in brilliant style, Doyle coming in for numerous ovations for his grand play at back. The Queen’s had, however, a lot of life and plenty of pluck still left in them, and they occasionally made some very dashing breaks away, but their efforts met with no better success that in the first half. As time drew near, however, the Queen’s had distinctly the best of the game, but the strong defence of the Celtic neutralised all their efforts. Again before the close, the game had to be stopped on account of the encroachment of the crowd. In the last minute or two of the game the Celtic made another raid on their opponent’s lines, but without result, and a memorable game terminated with the Celtic leading by one goal to nil. It may be said that the arrangements for the reporters, who hailed from all parts of the country, were of the most insufficient kind.

Celtic.- Cullen; Reynolds and Doyle; Maley, Kelly, and Dowds; M’Callum, Brady, Madden, Campbell, and M’Mahon.


Celtic Team:-


Scorers:-