League win 'is what dreams are made of', says George Horne

The Warriors were largely written off as they headed first to defending champions Munster for their semi-final, then to Pretoria for the Grand Final.  

But having silenced their critics with two gutsy wins to bring the title back to Scotstoun, Horne knows it is important the club – and the national team - build on their success.    

He said: “Everyone knows this Scotland team and the Scottish players, we’ve got the potential to be as good as anyone. It’s just been getting it done in the big games and the big moments. We’ve not managed to get that done recently.  

“This is something we can build on now going forward at Glasgow and hopefully we’re going to provide a lot of players for the Scotland team and can then bleed that into there as well.  

“It’s a different dynamic playing in these knockout games against the best teams from Ireland and South Africa. Now that we’ve gone and done it it’s something we can try to repeat.” 

Horne, who has been with the Warriors since 2017, acknowledged winning the league title for just the second time was a “massive” achievement for the club.  

READ MORE: Five key games as Glasgow Warriors stormed to URC title

He praised the squad’s maturity over the course of the past 12 months – since they were blown away by Toulon in the Challenge Cup final.  

“It’s something we’ve worked so hard for over the last few seasons,” Horne said.  

He added: “We’ve been knocking on the door, there or thereabouts, for a few years now but not managed to get it done in big games.  

“This year as a group we’ve really matured, especially in these knockout games over the last few weeks.  

“We’ve shown we’ve got an edge about us, we’ve got a gameplan and the players to go and win these tough games. So I’m just happy and proud of all the boys.” 

Horne's goalkicking has been vital for Glasgow all season, but particularly in the play-offs (Image: SNS)

Just like the team, Horne himself has had to be patient in his quest to establish himself as the first choice number nine with the club. Ali Price’s mid-season departure to Edinburgh, plus Horne’s outstanding form has allowed him to make that breakthrough this season.  

“It’s been great personally, getting a lot of minutes under my belt and maturing as a player,” said Horne upon the squad’s return to Glasgow Airport on Monday afternoon.  

“Going into these last three weeks you’ve seen a different side of my game as well in terms of a bit more control, accurate kicking game and things like that. That’s been great for me personally, but all the boys have come on leaps and bounds.  

“The competition in the squad, [Jamie] Dobie is there and playing unbelievably as well and we’ve had young Ben [Afshar] come in and do well. It’s been good for everyone to step up this season, it’s been a squad effort.” 

He now hopes to make the same leap with Scotland, having started only four of his 34 caps to date.  

READ MORE: Glasgow's George Horne wants to earn Scotland starting role

“That’s something I want to try to do. I want to make myself number one at Scotland. But so does everyone and they’re all working really hard to do that.  

“I’ve shown in the last few weeks that these knockout games are more like Test matches and guys like Sione [Tuipulotu], TJ [Tom Jordan] and others have all shown we can manage those big moments well.  

“It’s something that I want to take forward to the Scotland tour and see what happens.” 

Horne has had to be patient for his opportunities - at least as a starter - with Scotland (Image: SNS)

Horne, like some of his fellow Warriors, have been given some extra time to celebrate before they link up with the national team and head to Canada at the weekend.  

He continued: “We are off now until Saturday until we go on tour. So maybe one or 10,000 beers might be consumed! I’m looking forward to that.” 

Glasgow’s title win means Horne junior joined big brother Pete as a title winner, with the now Scotland assistant coach having played a key role in the 2015 triumph.  

Pete Horne (right) celebrates Glasgow's Pro12 win in 2015 with Chris Fusaro (Image: SNS)

The scrum-half, 27, said the pair shared an emotional phonecall on Saturday evening.  

“He was delighted. We’re really close and he’s a massive fan still and works really close with a lot of the players. He was getting a bit emotional on Saturday night when we were talking.” 

Horne also summed up what winning the title meant for him.  

He said: “Growing up watching Glasgow, going along to games to support my brother, to watch them win it in 2015 and then to do it ourselves, it’s what dreams are made of.”