Redpath relishes going "home"

Redpath is now in his 10th season in English rugby's Premiership - but his first as head coach at Kingsholm - and the former Scotland scrum-half ace insists there will be no room for sentiment against his countrymen in the Pool 2 clash.
"I am a Scotsman through and through and just because I work in England doesn't mean I haven't the same passion to see the country do well," he said.

"But I want to qualify for the quarter-finals - loyalty stops when your job is on the line. "It's always strange to go back to your home country and I'm fully aware of how the Glasgow players will approach that game because it's always a big occasion when you face an English side.

"Scottish people have bags of passion and pride and I'm under no illusions on how difficult facing them will be.
"But I was delighted with the draw coming up with Gloucester and Glasgow in the same group because it's great for me to go back and challenge myself against Scottish players and coaches alike. I want to be judged on the game and not about whom I am and what I am.

"We've a job to do but we will have to perform because the game means a lot to me."

Redpath won 60 Scotland caps and enjoyed a successful playing career at Sale Sharks before taking over the Gloucester hotseat from Dean Ryan in the summer. He has won three Amlin Challenge Cup titles - as a player with Sale Sharks in 2002 and 2005 and on the coaching team with Gloucester in 2006 - but accepts that now it is crunch time in the race for quarter-final qualification after the heavy defeat at Biarritz Olympique allied to the resurgence taking place north of the border at club and international level.

"I'm delighted with the resurgence of Scottish rugby and there's no doubt the country is improving," he said.

"Edinburgh finished second in the Magners League last season while Glasgow are also on the rise. "I know Firhill is a tough place and we won't be used to playing at such a small venue but it will be great fun and I'm looking forward to the game."

"It's been frustrating but the Guinness Premiership is a tough place to coach. I can't dwell on the results and I need to remain strong - I have to work hard, make sure I don't change and stick to my beliefs.

Gloucester opened their European campaign with a 19-17 home win over Newport Gwent Dragons but the back-to-back contests with Glasgow hold the key to Gloucester's hopes of making it through to the last eight for the fourth time in their eighth season in European club rugby's elite tournament.

"We know there is nothing given in this world or this tournament and that the Dragons have improved this season." he said.

"There is a strong rivalry between them, Gloucester and Glasgow over the years while Biarritz are an unknown quantity on the road so there is still a long way to go before quarter-final qualification is settled."