A. Thompson.
Mr. Thompson is one of the best backs that last season produced, and had it not been that the two Queen's Park men—Messrs. Arnott and Smellie—had played together so well, and pleased the Committee of Selection in most of the best matches, Mr. Thompson would have been in the great International. As it was, he got the next best position, being chosen to play against Wales. He is a rare tackler, sometimes a little rough, but the finest kicker in front of a besieged goal I have ever seen. Sometimes in the heat of a scrimmage he loses the ball, but has the knack of recovering himself in an instant.
J. Rae.
The Volunteers were remarkably well served with their backs in this tie, and Mr. Rae made a capital companion to Mr. Thompson. He is scarcely such an accomplished tackler, but for neat kicking and feeding the forwards when they are playing an open game, I know none better. He is a splendid man for judging distances, and if he is certain the ball is nearer one of his companions than himself, gets close behind and backs up at once. To see Mr. Rae placing the leather in front of his forwards in a good match is a treat of no ordinary kind, and it may be mentioned that he played against Wales last season.
A. Lochhead.
The three half-backs in the present tie with which I have to deal were Messrs, Auld, Lochhead, and M'Farlane. Mr. Lochhead has been long one of the "shining lights" of the 3rd L.R.V., and while in some respects inferior to Mr. Auld, has one grand virtue to recommend in a football player—viz., patience. His perception is keen and decisive, and if he imagines a daring forward on the other side can be successfully met without close tackling, he never fails to out-manœuvre him, and let the spectators see some rare half-back play. Mr. Lochhead took part in the Welsh International in the spring.
Mr. M'Farlane.
The 3rd L.R.V. were in perfect training condition in the tie, and well can I remember both Auld and M'Farlane coming in for a large share of hugging by excited partisans as they made their way up the steps towards the pavilion of the Queen's Park Club that memorable Saturday afternoon. Mr. M'Farlane is really a fine all-round player, and this season is keeping up his form in a way that both astonishes and delights his old friends. His "heading" in front of goal is very fine, and has saved many a shot from taking effect.
J. Oswald, Junior.
No better pair of dribblers ever served a club than the two Oswalds—senior and junior—last season, and had more genuine success in the games in which they played. The forward combination, with these two men at their best, was decidedly the most powerful in Scotland, and undoubtedly won the match for the Volunteers against the Celtic. Mr. Oswald, junior, however, was the better of the two, and the manner in which he scored the second goal, which gave the Third the victory, was quite a treat to all who saw the tie that day on Hampden Park.