NEIL DRYSDALE IN THE HERALD

George Graham was a dedicated performer long before rugby union sanctioned the pay-for-play era, so the former Scotland prop, who gained international honours in both codes, understands the difference between professionalism and picking up a wage-packet.

Graham has impressed on his players the value of never giving up.

Already this season, the Gala coach has experienced highs and desperate lows: he celebrated when his young charges beat Ayr 20-13 at Millbrae on Saturday, having lamented after they crashed 86-8 to Leeds Carnegie in the British & Irish Cup. Yet he remains a pragmatist and, although the Borderers have established a six-point lead in the RBS Premiership, he said simply that "title talk is forbidden just now".

Saturday's win was even more commendable, because Gala, who lost their influential stand-off, Lee Millar, to London Scottish during the summer, are minus the services of several key players. If they have demonstrated one outstanding quality under Graham's tutelage, though, it is their ability to fight back until the very last kick of every fixture. Even if there is only a losing bonus point at stake, it could prove vital at the climax of the campaign.

"Of course, it was painful against Leeds, but the outcome highlighted the difference when you put amateurs and full-time pros on the same pitch," said Graham. "I have always had the approach, though, that the only way you can get better is by taking on people who are better than you and learning from it. Our boys have worked harder ever since it happened, and it is no accident that we are at the top of the league.

"The biggest difference between amateurs and pros is less to do with the physical side of things and revolves more around your mental attitude. You saw that with the All Blacks in Dublin on Sunday, though, to be fair, Ireland lost the match rather than New Zealand won it. But the best players keep scrapping, making their tackles count, completing passes, creating chances and eventually capitalising on them.

"It doesn't always work - and I felt very sorry for the Irish - but I'm trying to pass on the idea that you can't win matches if you make basic mistakes. It is filtering through this Gala squad and I am proud of the way the lads have raised their standards, because the Premiership, in general, is growing tougher.

"Last year, by comparison, it was pretty much just Ayr and ourselves, and they got over the line in the end. This time, you have the two of us, Heriot's and Melrose, and clubs like Glasgow Hawks and Hawick, who have responded well to gaining promotion, while teams with lots of talent, including Stirling County and Currie, have struggled more than I would have expected.

"It's nice we have a bit of a cushion before going into the last six fixtures, but we recognise that shocks are happening every week and there is no point in us beating Ayr, for example, if we lose to Hawks next weekend."

As for the RL World Cup final, how does he see that going when New Zealand tackle Australia? "There is something about the All Blacks which means you can't look past them, either in league or union," said Graham. "The way they got past England in the last few seconds [20-18] in league was eerily similar to how their union boys defeated Ireland the next day [24-22]. They just never ever know when they are beaten and it is a wonderful philosophy to have."

It also fits Graham to a tee.

This article was originally posted on 27-Nov-2013, 08:12 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Russell Sim on 28-Nov-2013, 14:32.