Sean Lamont: Looking forward to competing in Commonwealth Games
Sean Lamont has urged Scotland’s fans to recreate the atmosphere of an Old Firm match during the Commonwealth Games.
Winger Lamont will swap the 15-a-side format for the shorter game when Ibrox, home of Rangers, is used to stage the rugby sevens at Glasgow 2014.
The Perth-born St Johnstone fan has never seen a match at the stadium, but is well aware of the atmosphere created during a derby clash with Celtic.
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He admits Scotland will need plenty of home support if they are going to qualify from a group containing New Zealand, Canada and Barbados.
“I’m not a massive football fan and I’ve never been to a game here before. Being from Perth I’m a Super-Js fan,” said the 86-time capped international.
“But I live in Glasgow now and everyone knows about Ibrox. We used to train up at the Palace of Arts and I would drive past here every day.
“I’ve heard a lot about the atmosphere this place can generate and sevens is known for its carnival atmosphere, so a home crowd going nuts will do us good.
“But what would be ideal is if the crowd were a bit more aggressive than your usual sevens crowd. Get the bams in and let them carry on the Ibrox tradition of going nuts.
“An Old Firm-type atmosphere would be perfect. It can make a difference. It can sway refs, it can change the momentum on the pitch and frighten the opposition.
“I’ve been on the receiving end of that type of thing and I know how important it is. That bit of edge can be the difference between winning and losing.”
RaboDirect PRO12 final
Lamont firstly must focus on his club duties with Glasgow Warriors as they attempt to land some silverware against Leinster later this month.
“We’ve got the RaboDirect Pro12 final with Glasgow a week on Saturday and then the Scotland tour to America and Canada in June, so there won’t be too much time to sit about thinking about the Games,” said the 33-year-old.
“I’ve been trying all my career to get a title so the final against Leinster is a massive deal for me.
“But I’m pretty much flying straight out from that game to join up with the Scotland squad for a couple of weeks.
“It’s only after that I will get a wee bit of a break but then we have to do what is essentially a pre-season because I need to get myself sevens-fit – it’s a different game with different requirements.
“So once that is out the way is when I’ll be able to start thinking about the Games. But that’s the way I like it.”
Article source: http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/ruddock-believes-big-guns-will-be-wary-of-worldclass-ireland-29320891.html
Sean Lamont hopes for passionate home support during Commonwealth Games
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