Glasgow coach Danny Wilson hails Ross Thompson after derby debut

Glasgow coach Danny Wilson hailed Ross Thompson after watching the academy youngster pass his first-team test with flying colours.

The 21-year-old was named man of the match as he nailed 13 crucial points on his maiden professional start to help Warriors to a 23-22 derby win over Edinburgh.

But there was more to Thompson’s display than just his goal-kicking and Wilson has high hopes for the fresh-faced stand-off.

He said: “Ross did really well. As a young lad to come into this type of derby game, he did well and his goal-kicking was really good.

“On the whole, he fired some shots and played some rugby. There is obviously still lots for him to develop and work on.

“But for his first opportunity at this level, coming out of the academy, it was a pleasing performance from him.”

Glasgow clambered off the bottom of the Guinness PRO14’s A conference with just their third win of the season and there was more good news as star Fiji lock Leone Nakarawa returned to action after almost a year out when he climbed off the bench in the closing stages.

“The aim was to get him 20 minutes towards the end,” said Wilson. “There’s plenty more to come from Leone, but it was great to get him back on the field.”

The result ties this year’s best-of-three 1872 Cup series between the teams at one win apiece.

Edinburgh claimed victory in the opening clash two weeks ago after dominating the scrum battle.

However, it was the Warriors pack on top this time and Edinburgh coach Richard Cockerill knows his side will have to improve when they meet again in the yet-to-be-announced series decider.

“They came out and put us under pressure and did well,” said the Englishman. “But we then solved the problems.

“We know Glasgow are a good side and we knew that scrum (at Murrayfield) was not a reflection of them.

“It was a good game of rugby from both sides, there were some good tries scored. We played with very good intent and are very disappointed not to come away with the points.

“But if you don’t get the small moments right and give poor penalties away, you invite teams to stay in the game. That’s what we did.”