Kyle Steyn hopes URC win can help Warriors chip away at Old Firm dominance of Scottish sport

KYLE STEYN hopes Glasgow’s success in winning the URC will help chip away at the Old Firm’s dominance of the Scottish sporting landscape.

Around 150 Warriors players, staff and sponsors had that achievement formally recognised with a civic reception at the city chambers this afternoon, three months on from clinching the title with a thrilling victory in the final against the Bulls at Loftus.

Steyn revealed he’s had various people coming up to congratulate him over the summer but acknowledged that gaining a wider foothold will always be difficult in a city (and country) that puts football first and everything else a long way behind.

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The Glasgow captain, though, also hoped that winning the URC might entice a few more fans along to Scotstoun when the new season gets underway.

“It is definitely challenging,” says Steyn [of trying to compete with the Old Firm]. “It’s always going to be a big challenge in Glasgow. I think you’ve just got to accept that for what it is and try to use what we’ve done last season and the family aspect of Scotstoun as our biggest drivers.

“That might not always be appealing to the same group of people but that’s fine. I think that’s what Glasgow is. Glasgow is about people and there’s a place for everyone. Anyone’s welcome at Scotstoun.

“We always try and encourage that, especially the family aspect of the occasion. It’s a great day out. We’ve got our Friday nights mostly back this season, which is great again. That’s where we tend to get our best atmosphere. So we’re looking forward to it and hopefully we’ll welcome many new fans.

“I know the trophy has been on a tour while we’ve been away, but just getting that trophy down to clubs, getting involved with the clubs, will be really good. I was chatting this morning to someone a the club and it sounds like our drive for the children’s hospital charity is going to be really ambitious this year. Things like that will be really good fun to be a part of.

“In places we go every week, cafes and stuff like that, it was just amazing to feel the buzz around Glasgow. Everywhere you went there was someone just saying how happy they were and really chuffed to be a part of it. So I really just enjoyed that part, being a part of the wider community and getting the feel of that.

“It’s a bit of a weird one [getting the civic reception] now with the new season coming and trying to focus on that. But yeah, to be recognised by the city today I think is a really special mark to that group.”

Steyn has had a year to remember, playing in a World Cup, winning the URC and becoming a dad to baby Arabella.

“It’s just really cool to share that experience with so many boys,” he adds. “There were so many of us that went through that, becoming a father for the first time, then won the URC and also played in the World Cup at the beginning of the season. To share that with so many boys, so many of us that went through that together, was really special.”

Glasgow have to put all behind them now and look to see if they can either emulate or better those achievements in the year ahead.

“It’s going to be a whole squad effort, but I think it’s about sitting down and refocusing where we’re at and where we’re aiming to be,” added Steyn. “We can’t just be coming in every day expecting to do the same thing and get the same results. Wanting it to be different is a good thing. Wanting a different challenge and creating a bit of a challenge around that is going to be key.

“We focus on Europe every year, but yeah, definitely. Again, I think it just comes down to wanting to perform in the biggest games on a consistent basis. Europe are always our biggest games, so we’ll be targeting Europe for sure.”