Glasgow boosted by return of Scotland players and extended deals for rising stars

While announcing a team to face the league leaders at Firhill with Chris Cusiter, Graeme Morrison, Alastair Kellock and Richie Gray back in the XV from the World Cup, and Dougie Hall and John Barclay on the bench – Moray Low, Ruaridh Jackson and DTH Van der Merwe are still nursing injuries – Lineen hailed the re-signing of Rob Harley, who has captained the side since the start of the season.

He joins fellow youngsters Ruaridh Jackson, Duncan Weir, Ryan Grant and Chris Fusaro in agreeing terms on a two-year deal from when his current contract expires next summer, with Glasgow also working to re-sign Richie Gray and John Barclay on similar contracts..

The very fact Lineen has been allowed to become involved in contract negotiations at this stage in the season is a major improvement on previous seasons, however, and the coach is delighted.

“It’s been really positive,” he said. “They [the SRU’s new chairman Sir Moir Lockhead and chief executive Mark Dodson] have backed up what they’ve said with action. We’ve had a lot of communication with Graham Lowe [SRU Director of Performance Rugby], who has done a great job.

“Mark Dodson has been in New Zealand, but we’ve still had good communication and behind the scenes Ian McLauchlan [SRU President] and the board are working hard.

“The message that is coming out is that the pro teams are more than just teams under the Scotland team, that it’s important that we do well, too.

“We can sign players, and not only that but we can do a bit of planning and we’re delighted to have that support. It is different [to recent years]. Moving to Scotstoun next year and getting contacts done early means players know that there is investment coming in and genuine ambition, that we’re looking at players to strengthen the squad, and that’s why guys like Rob [Harley] have signed.

“They can see the ambition is not all talk. We don’t just want to be making up the numbers in the Pro 12. Having had that small taste two years ago [reaching the play-offs] and then losing players, it feels ‘different’ now.

“You always do the best you can as a coach but I am excited by what we’re doing now on and off the field, and it makes you feel there are good times ahead for Scottish rugby. It’s not going to happen overnight but having that support – we have Graham Lowe and Mark coming through to meet next week – it’s a lot more joined up. They want the pro teams to be successful and are not just saying it.”

Harley agreed with the coach, and, while he was wisely diplomatic on the changes, he alluded to the frustration felt among players at losing top performers who had expressed a desire to stay only to be forced to seek other opportunities due to the SRU’s renowned delays and subsequently found much better deals elsewhere.

Harley said: “There has been a change because, in the past, it seemed that it has always been after Christmas that guys have had contracts renewed and so far there are five players signed up this season.

“That shows the ambition that they [Glasgow/SRU] have in wanting to secure players. I was delighted to have an offer from Glasgow to extend my contract and it made the decision very easy. I think they have put down a marker that they want the squad to get stronger, they’re going to retain players.

“In the past guys have left because it’s been left late and they have had offers from other clubs that put pressure on their decision. But for me I’m very happy to be staying at Glasgow and that has given me security, getting it done early, and not having to worry about it later in the year, coming to the crunch end of the season and having that hanging over your head as well.”

Harley has given up the captaincy this week with the return of Kellock, but the 21-year-old is hopeful of being able to continue to provide the leadership he has developed trough being involved with the Scotland World Cup training squad and during the first six matches of the season.

Harley added: “I was delighted as a young player to come in and get the experience of training alongside guys like Chris Paterson going to his fourth World Cup, learning from them and the experience to be able to feel comfortable at that level, but also in terms of how rigorous the training was, the preparation, the focus on players working to improve themselves and their skills all the time.

“I think I came through that and all the hard work we did a better player.

“I was disappointed not to be picked [for the World Cup] but, as soon as that call was made, it was a switch of mentality and straight back to thinking about Glasgow. Then I was asked to be captain which was just incredible for me.

“Growing up in Glasgow and playing at West of Scotland, I was absolutely delighted to take on that role.

“It has been a great start to the season for me and I’m hoping it will continue.

“We have a big game against the Ospreys who are sitting top of the league at the moment and so that’s a real challenge for us.

“It’s good to have guys back fresh from the international games and having those players back drives the competition hopefully to a better performance on the park.”

GLASGOW TEAM v Ospreys at Firhill, tomorrow, kick-off 7:05pm

15 Stuart Hogg

14 Tommy Seymour

13 Rob Dewey

12 Graeme Morrison

11 Colin Shaw

10 Duncan Weir

9 Chris Cusiter

1 Ryan Grant

2 Pat MacArthur

3 Mike Cusack

4 Richie Gray

5 Alastair Kellock (captain)

6 Rob Harley

7 Chris Fusaro

8 Ryan Wilson

Substitutes

16 Dougie Hall, 17 Gordon Reid, 18 Ed Kalman, 19 Tom Ryder, 20 John Barclay, 21 Colin Gregor, 22 Troy Nathan, 23 Federico Aramburu