Wilson admits Warriors 'need a 10' as Glasgow boss outlines transfer plans
Danny Wilson outlines Glasgow Warriors' transfer plans
By Stuart Bathgate @stuart_bathgate
DANNY Wilson hopes to sign one or possibly two stand-offs in the coming days as he tries to patch up a Glasgow back division which has been badly depleted by injuries. The Warriors head coach aims to recruit one playmaker who can join immediately, and is also keen to sign up another in time for next season.
Duncan Weir still seems set to return to Scotstoun from Worcester, although the timing is uncertain, while the pursuit of Munster's Scottish-qualified 10 Ben Healy appears to have failed. Benetton's decision on Monday to release another Irishman, Ian Keatley, prompted speculation that he could be Glasgow-bound, but given his recent form was deemed "inadequate" by the Italian club, signing him might not be viewed as the most inspired or inspiring of decisions.
Asked yesterday about the search for a stand-off, Wilson declined to mention any names, but did suggest he was closing in on at least one target. "There are two things we need to do," he said. "Short term we need a 10 - short term being the next four, five, six months.
"We have Adam Hastings out long term. Pete Horne is struggling with concussive symptoms and there comes a point where a player needs a longer period of time - a bit like the Richie Gray situation where Richie's concussion went on and on. Although Pete's making great strides, he's struggled and he's not been available.
"We were due to sign a 10 [last summer], which never happened because of the Covid budget situation. So Pete stepped in and did a good job, but really Pete's a 12.
"We've got Brandon Thomson and Ross Thompson, and Ross is an academy player who's getting some exposure now, but we need something to tide us over - somebody to come in at 10. That's something we're still working on now for the remainder of this season.
"And then in the longer term we wanted to recruit at least one if not two 10s. I can't give you any news on that today, but in the very short term I should be able to give you some news on that in terms of probably both those situations. I'm sorry to fob you off again, but I don't have anything I can confirm today."
Wilson was able, however, to complete three re-signings yesterday. Scrum-half Sean Kennedy has agreed a deal that will keep him with the Warriors "for the foreseeable future", while hooker Johnny Matthews and tighthead prop Ewan McQuillin, whose previous short-term contracts only ran up to Christmas, have now signed on for the rest of the season.
"Sean has gone really well in this period," Wilson continued. "We lost two scrum-halves in Scotland's Autumn Nations Cup campaign, then on top of that the bad news that George Horne was injured for a longer term. And then Jamie Dobie had an injury as well, so Sean stepped in as our only 9 and we had to get somebody on loan.
"I thought Sean was excellent - good enough that he held his place when Jamie came back and was probably one of our in-form players. It's great to add to the depth at 9 with Sean and I'm glad he's here for longer.
"Johnny is another guy who has gone from the outskirts of the squad and done well. He's pushed the other boys and got to a place where he's been on the bench for the derbies.
"Ewan stepped up for the Warriors last season, coming in from the Southern Knights and playing against Dragons and Leinster just before the season was halted due to Covid. We were really impressed with his scrummaging ability and we're looking for more of the same from him this time around."