Glasgow Warriors star Johnnie Beattie determined to grab glory before heading to Montpellier

Apr 19 2012 By Gordon Parks

Johnnie Beattie

JOHNNIE BEATTIE believes Glasgow Warriors can deliver his perfect send-off by securing a Rabo-Direct Pro12 play-off place.

The 26-year-old made a return against Munster last weekend after a four-month absence and turned in an impressive display despite his side’s 35-29 defeat in Cork.

But as he sets his sights on a summer move to Montpellier, Beattie is adamant his focus is on leaving Firhill on a high.

He said: “It was just nice to get some rugby to be honest although I felt very ring-rusty. It was my first start for a long, long time so I just enjoyed being back.

“Getting the bonus point in the last minute and Connacht’s defeat of Ulster tees everything up. We could have come away really disappointed but now there’s still everything to play for. I’m just focused on the here and now.

“I know I’ve been handed a fantastic opportunity by our head coach, Sean Lineen, and I’m looking forward to going out with a bang and finishing on a high with my friends and for this coaching staff.

“I’ve absolutely loved every single minute of being here and playing for the Warriors.

“In terms of leaving I feel I’m leaving the club in the best position we’ve ever been in, in terms of infrastructure, the set-up off the pitch and also the playing squad and the ethos and the culture that the players have with each other, so it’s going to be strange leaving.

“But for now we’re looking forward to turning things round, playing well, playing our hearts out, getting into the play-offs and moving on from there.”

Glasgow’s hopes of earning a home semi-final almost certainly bit the dust at Musgrave Park.

However, the bonus point they extracted when Stuart Hogg completed a magnificent hat-trick deep in injury time has helped ensure that they are now almost certain to reach the play-offs if they win their last two matches against Treviso and Connacht.