I WAS most interested to read your article recalling the famous Rangers-Moscow Dynamo match at Ibrox, which took place 70 years ago this month (“From Russia with awe: Mysterious Moscow side lit up Ibrox for young fan”, Herald Sport”, November 21). My 12th birthday present was a front row seat in the main stand, from where I had a clear view of the many incidents during the game, including Torry Gillick counting 12 Russian players on the pitch and telling the referee.
The Russian style of play was a revelation to the Scottish crowd – rapid accurate inter-passing between defence and forwards with the ball always on the ground, such a contrast to the traditional Scottish game of the time, with wingers’ crosses usually the main form of attack.
The Rangers team of those post-war days still slips off the tongue and seemed to remain virtually unchanged throughout season after season. I’ve often wondered how the players managed to avoid injury and maintain fitness, especially when they all had regular full-time jobs throughout the week. I think Willie Thornton (who missed the Dynamo game) was the only first-team member in the armed forces.
I also wonder how 90,000 football fans managed to get the afternoon off work to attend the game. The shipyards and factories along the Clyde must have been almost deserted that Wednesday afternoon.
Thanks for bringing back so many memories.
Iain AD Mann,
7 Kelvin Court, Glasgow.
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