‘Scotland should play a rugby Test at Ibrox’

Scotland’s Rugby Sevens captain Colin Gregor claims that playing for his country at Ibrox was the highlight of his career – and he thinks the venue should be given a full international match.

Colin Gregor, right, says playing for his country at Ibrox was the highlight of his career. Picture: Getty

The Glasgow Warriors star may have failed to land a medal after losing to South Africa in the quarter-finals but the noise generated at the famous old stadium will stay with him forever.

He insists that the hosts were good enough to have at least made the semi-finals but being able to run out at Ibrox almost made up for that.

“We’re disappointed with how it went, especially on Sunday,” said Gregor. “On Saturday we gave New Zealand a real run for their money. If the game had been a minute longer maybe we would have got our first victory over them.”

Two New Zealand players were sin-binned during that clash and Gregor claims that shows the Scots had got to them.

“The way they went about it says a lot about our performance,” he said. “I think they were soiling themselves. We knew South Africa were a quality team, so we’re just disappointed we gave them a head start.

“Having said that, the actual experience of the weekend was like nothing else. Ibrox was comfortably the best atmosphere and crowd I’ve ever played in front of. To be at a home Commonwealth Games at Ibrox was truly phenomenal. It was like nothing else, incredible.

“The noise and support at the stadium was stunning. We were standing at half-time in a huddle trying to have a chat about the game but you could hardly hear what the person standing next to you was saying. Playing at Ibrox was something I never thought I’d do but everything’s been unbelievable. Even living in the east end of Glasgow has all been part of the experience.”

Asked whether Scotland’s first XV should play an international at Rangers’ ground, Gregor replied: “It would be pretty special if we could get a crowd like that to Ibrox.”