Aberdeen 1 - 1 Rangers

By NORMAN MACDONALD

THE Aberdeen forwards will have to do something about their shooting if they are to beat Rangers in the Scottish Cup final replay at Hampden on Wednesday.
The Dons had the beating of the Light Blues on Saturday. A second game should never have been necessary. A little guile in the front rank and the Cup would have been in the bag for Aberdeen.
If the Dons lose the trophy now they have themselves to blame But after Saturday's game I can see no reason for pessimism. The odds are surely against the forwards missing as many scoring chances in the second game.
Rangers were anything but an impressive company, and I doubt if the return of centre-half Woodburn will make all that difference.
Despite their mediocrity, however, the Light Blues almost captured the cup result of that early goal by Prentice.
Hopes of Aberdeen equalising had practically disappeared when Yorston hit the headlines with a magnificent goal.

Hard to Forgive

Considering that they could claim 75% of the play it is hard to forgive the Aberdeen players their failure to win the trophy on Saturday.
For the last eighteen minutes of the first half they played against ten men, but they couldn’t force home the equalising goal. Big George Young, who look over from the injured Niven in goal, defied them.
The Dons produced their smartest and most dangerous football in the closing fifteen minutes, when they reorganised their front line.
The right wing had been misfiring badly and Rodger switched to inside let, with Hamilton at centre-forward and Buckley on the wing. They seemed to create more trouble for Rangers in these fifteen minutes than they did during the other seventy.
This is a point which the management might do well to bear in mind tor Wednesday's game. doubt very much if the line-up will be different, but the Pittodrie club may devise some plan for switching positions during the match.

Hather Best

Hather was the best Aberdeen forward and the only one who consistentlv threatened danger. He might have been the hero of the day had he shown a little more enterprise in the matter of cutting in and having a go.
The Dons should derive confidence for the replay from the fact that in three of their four ties before the final they required two chances to beat their opponents Motherwell. Hibs and Third Lanark.

Young Doubtful

Aberdeen may be forced to make a team change. Alec Young injured his ankle bone - the same ankle as was broken during the Norwegian tour — and must, at the moment, be regarded as a doubtful starter.
Naturally enough the player himself is desperately keen to play, but his ankle was still swollen yesterday. A decision as to his fitness will probably be delayed until Wednesday morning.
Billy Smith, who was one of the reserves in attendance on Saturday at Hampden, is the likely deputy.
The Aberdeen party returned to Gleneagles after Saturday’s game and will remain there until Wednesday. Whether they win or lose they will return to Gleneagles after the replay and will complete the journey to Aberdeen on Thursday.