I’M GUNNER GO FOR BIG TIME AGAIN

BY DAVID KELSO JUAN PABLO SOCINO aims to use his Edinburgh exploits as a springboard back to the big stage.

The midfielder is set to line up for the Gunners in their Heineken Champions Cup opener against mighty Montpellier.

And he admitted the showdown in France on Saturday will be a career highlight for him.

Socino, capped four times by Argentina, said: “I am massively excited about this weekend.

“Moving from Newcastle to Edinburgh may not have been a big geographical jump – but it was huge for me and my family in relation to my professional career, a different league in every way.

“I’d been to Edinburgh before with my wife and we really loved it from the first time we saw it.

“When I actually made the switch the squad welcomed me in warmly.

“It’s a great group at Murrayfield. The attitude is fantastic and I have blended in pretty well.”

Socino reckons his spell with French side Dax will help when he lines up against Montpellier.

He said: “I think the French teams play more loosely and with less of a structure.

“That can sometimes be seen as a weakness – and sometimes as an advantage. We won’t know until Saturday about Montpellier.”

On his international aspirations, Socino added: “I am still hungry to play for my country.

“And I would like to think my Heineken Cup involvement will be a route GLASGOW boss Dave Rennie has snapped up experienced prop Petrus du Plessis as emergency Euro cover.

Du Plessis, 37, makes the switch from London Irish and will figure in Sunday’s Heineken Cup opener against his old team Saracens at Scotsoun.

Rennie was forced to make a move with both Zander Fagerson and Siua Halanukonuka out injured long-term.

South African du Plessis started training in Largs yesterday and said: “I’m thrilled to be part of such a great club as the Warriors.

“It’s especially exciting my first involvement will be against my former club.” back to it – that is the plan anyway.

“I was left out in the wilderness a bit when the Argentinian authorities said they would only pick home-based players.

“But now they have opened things up a little more with the World Cup coming up next year.

“The fact that the Pumas are coming to face Scotland next month at Murrayfield could be a big help too.

“I would like to be on top of my game so they can see what I can do.

“I wouldn’t say it’s a chance to chat up the officials but as has happened in the past, there might be some injuries.

“If you are fit and are looking good, your chances will rise.”