THE SCOTSMAN REPORTS
DAVID FERGUSON
HUGH Campbell insisted yesterday that he could have turned Glasgow around had he been given more time, stating that the team was capable of much more than it has shown this season.

The Glasgow coaching post has been the most demanding in Scottish rugby, New Zealanders Keith Robertson and Kiwi Searancke, and now Campbell, being sacked and Richie Dixon moving back into Murrayfield after failing to uncover success.

Despite a number of high points, notably the team outperforming Edinburgh in Frank Hadden's last year and the Borders in Steve Bates' first, to take top spot in the Scottish rankings last season, the rollercoaster ride of under-achievement has remained the only constant. Campbell said: "I am very disappointed to be sacked now, because I know the talent that exists in this squad and believe we are much closer to being successful than some results have shown.

"There are a lot of really good quality players in Glasgow, and some very good young players coming through who I believe will go on and play for Scotland. We were on the verge of being very good last season, but started this season with a lot of injuries, and injuries to experienced players, and we lost a few games very narrowly, by a point or a penalty kick, and when that happens players begin to doubt themselves, each other and their environment, and that is what has happened.

"The suggestion that the team spirit is low might be accurate, but I don't think that is something that can simply be levelled at the head coach.

"Some players in Scotland have still to fully grasp what professional rugby, playing the game as a job, really means.

"You don't go to Munster and win without having real team spirit, or lose by a last-gasp penalty kick at Ulster. But team spirit has to come from the players. This is a pro game and the players are paid to perform; they cannot expect the coaching staff to simply inject spirit every week."

Campbell is one of the most experienced characters in the Scottish game, having played for and coached Scotland B, assisted Graham Hogg when the Scotland A team won its shadow grand slam in 1998 and assisted Jim Telfer when Scotland won the last Five Nations Championship in 1999. Gordon McKie, the SRU's chief executive, is, therefore, keen to keep him on board, and Campbell is considering the offer of a specialist role coaching scrummaging and lineout play - an area in which he is renowned as a leading light in Scotland.

He added: "It's not a great surprise [to be sacked] because Gordon and myself have been discussing things since way back in November, but it is a shock when it happens. We were the best team in Scotland last year and this year it hasn't worked out for various reasons, and pro rugby is about winning games and putting bums on seats. We weren't and someone has to take the rap for that. As head coach it's me."

This article was posted on 29-Mar-2006, 07:18 by Hugh Barrow.