Allan Glen’s RFC bring back former skipper Bill McDonald as head coach

McDonald has returned to his old club to take over the coaching reins following the departure of Julianna Murciano on a career break.

A former club captain and coach, he is back at The Bearyards after successful spells at a variety of clubs, including Glasgow Hawks, Hillhead, Glasgow Accies, GHA, Helensburgh and Garnock.

“It kind of completes the circle,” he said. “I had coached Garnock for three years and we played against Glen’s during that time and had our tussles.

“But I felt that at Garnock three years was probably enough. I was looking for a change and the club were as well.

“I had gone in and helped them, got them stabilised and playing some pretty good rugby so I felt as if I had done what I was supposed to do.”

Having seen Glen’s come so close to winning the title for the past two years - they were denied by a single missed conversion in 2019 and in as strong position to be champions when this season was voided, McDonald is naturally hoping it will be third time lucky when rugby does resume.

But he’s well aware that day might yet be some time off.

He said: “It is frustrating in terms of what’s going to happen. We have started already and put in place some training programmes and we’re looking at being fit for pre-season and trying to get a base level which allows us to kick on.

“The problem is, given the nature of our game, it’s probably the game in the world that’s got the most amount of contact. We’ve got scrums, lineouts, rucks, mauls, tackles and it’s almost impossible to play the game without all these facets being part of it.

“I’m not quite sure where we’re going to go with this. Nobody really knows - all we can do is to get the guys as fit as they can on their own before we’re allowed to come together as a group.”