HIT PARADE
Warrior Wilson hails victory in brutal clash and expects tougher return at Murrayfield
RYAN WILSON felt beating Edinburgh by just four points was more satisfying than hammering them by 40.
Glasgow’s co-captain issued his verdict as he turned his focus to the second leg of the 1872 Cup showdown on Saturday.
And he admitted his men will have to scrap even harder for another win at Murrayfield.
A dour derby at Scotstoun exploded into life in the dying minutes with sub hooker George Turner grabbing the clinching try. And pack-mate Wilson said: “It was one of these games that you have to grind out.
“There was a lot of brutality and big hits. That made it the type of victory you enjoy even more than the ones you run away with because you have to work so hard for it.
“It was a massive battle and now we have to get ourselves right for the next one which will be even tougher.
“In the past these games have been more important for them than us – not with this match. We
It was a massive battle – we must be right for the next one RYAN WILSON
didn’t do all that well in the 1872 Cup last season and recently we haven’t done ourselves justice in the Pro14, especially at home.
“We didn’t turn up against Leinster here and we didn’t get the rub of the green when La Rochelle beat us. So we are back on the right track.”
Wilson and Edinburgh captain Stuart McInally made their thoughts clear on the display of rookie ref Ben Blain, who wielded five yellow cards.
The Glasgow ace grinned and said: “I have to be careful what I say but I don’t think there was anything in them.
“It was more the build up of penalties which were quickly and easily given. I’m not sure he helped in the breakdown area.”
McInally was one of the sin-binning victims for a hefty but hardly dangerous challenge on Scotland pal Fraser Brown.
He said: “If I made contact with the head then it was purely accidental. It was just one of those things unfortunately.”
McInally was backed up by boss Richard Cockerill who said: “It was an accident.
“I feel sorry for Stuart because I’m not actually sure how he’s meant to play the game if a guy gets tackled and falls at your feet and you’re already in a low position. If he falls into your shoulder then where are you meant to go?
“It’s a penalty at worst. You want to look after players, you don’t want players getting whacked in the head, but I don’t know what Stu’s meant to do.
“It’s as if officials are looking for a reason to send a player from the field. We all know Stu well, he’s not that sort of player, there was no intent whatsoever. I’ve never seen so many cards in quite a clean game.”
On the outcome, McInally added: “We’re disappointed. We put everything into that game.
“I thought the attitude of the boys was excellent. We know we can compete with Glasgow and we look forward to bringing them to Murrayfield.”