You Couldn't Make It Up!

by Jack Little

Always keen to try their luck against the "big boys", ambitious Thistle (having been denied inclusion in the Glasgow Charity Cup) found opportunities limited. On 25/4/1885 they faced Rangers for the first time in 2 years. In the intervening period rumours had spread that Rangers were afraid to play them. Recent criticism by Pilgrims FC players of alleged rough tactics by Thistle would not have gone unnoticed. Rangers did however agree to a friendly but announced that 7 of their players had refused to play, fearing injury. In the end both teams were not at full-strength - Rangers more so - but Thistle ran out 4-1 winners. Allegations in the press of Thistle's rough play were dismissed and were seen in some quarters as sour grapes on the part of Rangers.

Publishing date An original Thistle Archive publication, 07-Sep-2020.
Latest edit date Latest edit version 02-Jun-2020.

© The Thistle Archive 2015-2024. All rights reserved. Third-party trademarks and content are the property of their respective owners, and subject to their own copyright terms and conditions. See the website links provided in each case.