They say as you get older, the time passes quicker. Apparently, the polis look younger as well but that’s something to debate for another day. But cast your minds back to before the weans had even finished school for the summer.

When Glasgow kick-off at 6pm on Saturday, it will have been 77 days since the June 22, a date now etched in our minds forever. That most incredible of turnarounds in Pretoria. A day that many of us hoped would be special, but maybe didn’t necessarily think would come to fruition. A script from a Hollywood writer.

Huw Jones and Zander Fagerson celebrate in PretoriaHuw Jones and Zander Fagerson celebrate in Pretoria (Image: Getty Images)

But that was then, and as we know, this is now and the graft, hard work and toil has begun all over again. But with one massive difference this time around. We’re not the underdogs in this story anymore. We’re the ones with the big target on our back and the league standard.

It’s been a largely uneventful close season with lots of guys away on international duty, others rested and given time to relax after a bruising couple of years of rugby and some new arrivals, most of which we knew about before the season ended.

It’s been very much business as usual. No massive changes, no upheaval and no dramas. I think many of us would be happy with that. Did we expect anything else from Franco?

Adam Hastings return is the headline grabber but as I said, this one has been known for a fair wee while and we know roughly what we’re getting so it’s not sent shockwaves around the league the way Snyman and Barrett to Leinster or Lynagh to Benetton or Weise to the Bulls might have done.

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Schickerling, Richardson, Sutherland and Talakai are solid and add extra depth to the front row and should remove some of the burden that has been on the shoulders of Zander Fagerson and reduce the need for him to be playing full 80’s for a while!

It's evolution, not revolution. Glasgow blooded a number of youngsters last season gave guys like Euan Ferrie, Max Williamson, Alex Samuel and Angus Fraser.

They have a back row that you could pick from a tombola and still be happy with and there is a group of backs there that can cause problems for anyone.

Oli Kebble and George Turner will be hard to replace that is for certain, both in stature and in the way they represented the club and I was still surprised to see Tom Gordon go but I don’t look at the players who’ve left and think we’re significantly weaker.

Oli Kebble left Scotstoun over the summer Oli Kebble left Scotstoun over the summer (Image: SNS)

Maybe we’re a little stronger, only time will tell. As I said, evolution, not revolution.

Glasgow were well battered on the weekend by Zebre, 31-0 in case you needed reminded and we all know that Franco won’t have been telling the boys well done or don’t worry it’s only pre-season, but I don’t think it’s a massive worry.

Of course you want to win every game, of course you want to see your team score but it was a fitness exercise for me.

A lot of new players, younger players and the first run out for while. Even this weekend, while at home, is not essential to win.

Trying combinations, getting players minutes under their belt, and ensuring there are no injuries are far more important for me.

Let us not see a repeat of last season where we don’t see the likes of Ollie Smith, JP Du Preez and Fraser Brown miss everything. Get through the game and concentrate on an Ulster team who will be desperate to make up for a poor showing last year.

So where should our expectations and hopes be for this season? Well we’re champions. We’ve grown as a side and grown as a club. So naturally, we’d like to see the side at least in the conversation at the end of the league campaign and in with the chance of claiming back-to-back titles. Will it be easy? Not in the slightest. Is it possible? Every chance!

Franco Smith and Kyle Steyn lift the URC trophy at Scotstoun - could we see a repeat at the end of this season?! Franco Smith and Kyle Steyn lift the URC trophy at Scotstoun - could we see a repeat at the end of this season?! (Image: SNS)

I know that Franco, Steyno and the rest of the squad will be targeting getting as far in the URC and as close to defending their title as they possibly can. And we have a much better chance of retaining this time than the last time we won the league.

That was going into a World Cup year with significant squad changes and retirements. The nucleus of this side is very much the same.

In addition, we have to target the next step in the Champions Cup. Last year against Harlequins was heartbreaking. This year we need to be making sure that those results go in our favour and learning from previous mistakes. If we can do that then we can be dark horses in the tournament.

And of course, we need to retain the shield and keep the Burghers away from the 1872 Cup. Should be easy enough eh?

The main thing is I’m looking forward to getting back to Scotstoun. The people, the atmosphere, the pies… I mean players. and the pictures, meet and greets and good times with my wee pal.

Our Glasgow columnist can't wait to get back to ScotstounOur Glasgow columnist can't wait to get back to Scotstoun (Image: SNS)

We’ve had to substitute in Hampden, Somerset Park and Cliftonhill into our weekends in recent weeks in a bid to get the live sport fix. So to get back home will be a welcome treat.

So let the season begin and I wish you and your Glasgow Warriors the very best of luck for the next few months. Let’s get prepared for a home final now eh?