Kellock tipping Hogg to prove a match for Paterson in Murrayfield clash

ALASTAIR Kellock is confident that Stuart Hogg, one of Glasgow’s most promising young talents, will shrug off an indifferent display in France last weekend and revel in today’s clash with Edinburgh and the direct comparison with retiring internationalist Chris Paterson.

It is one of many fascinating duels at Murrayfield this evening, as the 33-year-old Gala man takes to the field for the first time after announcing his retirement from the Test arena, while the 19-year-old Hawick youngster makes his debut in the 1872 Cup.

They share a rugby intelligence shaped by two of Scotland’s proudest rugby towns.

Paterson made his pro debut for Glasgow as a 19-year-old, when called into the then Glasgow Caley squad as a replacement for Tommy Hayes on a trip to Ulster when still with Gala. Defying the claim that youngsters are not given their heads early enough now, Hogg is a fixture in the Warriors squad still six months from his 20th birthday.

Glasgow captain Kellock is confident that Hogg will thrive in the atmosphere generated by an expected 12,000-plus crowd at the national stadium, having recovered from the migraine that forced him out of a Heineken Cup tie with Montpellier last weekend.

“We all have these games,” said Kellock. “I took time out at a scrum to talk to him during the game but he’s a good enough player that that is not going to have a huge effect on his career, or even on this game.

“He didn’t mention the migraine before the game but he’s not the type of guy who would.

“I don’t know how bad he was beforehand but it’s difficult to know [whether he should have played]. I’m not a doc. He gave it a go. But he’s in good form now and looking forward to this game, and it will be different. They are definitely different and you learn a lot playing in these games, and if I can pass that on to anybody then I will.

“It’s the same with Edinburgh. They have young guys looking to step up.

“I’ve been impressed by David Denton over the last few weeks. He’s given them the go-forward they have needed.”

As for Hogg’s opposite number, Kellock continued: “Mossy has been an absolute legend as far as I’m concerned. I’ve played with him for years at club and international level, and what he’s done for Scottish rugby has been huge.

“I’m sad to see him retire but at the same time I’m glad that he’s been able to make the decision, and done it in a great way as well.”

At 30 and with nearly a decade of derbies behind him, featuring on both sides of the divide, Kellock still feels an extra excitement envelop this game. He has the future in the shape of 21-year-old Richie Gray alongside him tonight, and they face a new twin challenge in Grant Gilchrist – who, like Kellock, came through the Stirling County “finishing school” and could soon be pushing for Kellock’s place in the national squad – and the abrasive Sean Cox, with Denton providing a strong lineout option. Asked if he felt he could put the 21-year-old off his game, Kellock just smiled.

“There is an edge to it, but that’s not a focus of mine in the slightest. My focus is what we have to do and what I have to do within the team, so the lineout comes into it with me calling it, but it’s our pack versus their pack, our team versus their team, but not me against an individual.

“As far as the [Scotland] coaches are concerned this is an opportunity to see one-on-one, head-to-head, but it can’t be our focus.”

The big man was not averse to showing his excitement and after a Christmas Day spent with the joys of a toddler, he is hopeful that a big Glasgow support will help to create a record attendance for the fixture, by beating the 2008 tally of 12,534.

The Warriors support, however large or small, has proven itself capable of making a racket, so with the first pitchside standing arrangement for this game Kellock believes that the Warriors supporters will out-shout their hosts.

“They would certainly tell you we will! They are very noisy, very vocal and that’s a huge benefit, especially when you go away from home.

“The 1872 Cup and back-to-back games have added enormously to these fixtures. The biggest thing is the buy-in we get from supporters and there’s a real excitement in Glasgow about these games, a buzz, and as a player you feel that.”

Looking ahead, he added: “I talk about being in the right position at certain stages of the year and at the moment we are in a good position, but that’s not to say that when we get into the last four or five games we’ll still be there. We’ll be pushing to be, but so will Edinburgh and they’re definitely right in the mix.”