Al Kellock hails outgoing Glasgow Warriors boss Sean Lineen for leaving club in best ever position

May 17 2012

Sean Lineen

GLASGOW WARRIORS skipper Al Kellock insists departing head coach Sean Lineen has left a legacy for success at the club.

The former Scotland star took charge for the last time in the narrow 19-15 RaboDirect Pro12 play-off semi-final defeat by Leinster.

But Kellock is adamant the signing of key additions to the squad in recent months will stand the side
in good stead.

He said: “Sean leaves Glasgow in a really good place, a really good position – probably stronger than we’ve ever been in my time at the club.

“I suppose the responsibility is on the guys who are staying and the new guys that are coming in to make sure that keeps going.

“Our playing ability and the culture we’ve got at the club, it’s as good as it has ever been.

“I’ve obviously been at Glasgow as his captain for the last six years and we worked pretty closely together.

“We’ve had some disagreements and had some differences of opinion, he’s put me right on a few occasions but we’ve always had a good working relationship.

“And I have huge respect for Sean for what he’s done, not only as a coach but as a person as well and the way he’s helped me through the last six years.”

Lineen now takes on the post of Scottish Rugby’s head of player acquisition and Kellock believes he’s the perfect appointment.

He said: “He’ll be brilliant at it. You couldn’t have picked a guy within the union or probably outside of it
who would be better at it than Sean.

“That doesn’t detract from what he’s done as a coach but one of his main strengths over the last few years has been recruiting top players.

“He can now do the same to benefit the whole of Scottish rugby.”

Gregor Townsend will take over as Glasgow head coach and Kellock believes the club will go from strength to strength.

He said: “We will have a stronger squad next season. You look at some of the quality we’re bringing in such as Sean Lamont.

“He’s an exceptionally good player. To be able to bring a guy like that back to Scotland can only benefit Glasgow.

“It will benefit all the young lads coming through as well as they will learn from a player who’s been there and done it at the highest level.

“Angus Macdonald is a proven quality international too and we’re expecting big things from him.

“We’re in a great place. I’m out of contract next season and I have to speak to the people at Murrayfield and everybody involved in the decision but I am really happy here and it’s a great place for me to be playing my rugby."