Oli Kebble hopes Glasgow Warriors reveal will give him the freedom to finish with silverware

After seven seasons and 102 appearances the popular prop is moving on and he would love to help deliver a trophy before he goes. There have been close shaves in recent seasons, a couple of lost finals and several semis, but Kebble feels Glasgow haven’t got what they deserved.

“The amount of times we have done well in the league and not finished with a trophy at the end of it…it would be nice to leave with some silverware. That’s the plan,” he said.

Kebble is coy about his next destination but at 31 there is plenty left in the tank. Although news of his departure was made public last week, he’s known about it for a while and tried to push it to the back of his mind. There are potentially three huge games still to play.

“I think I’m playing with a bit more freedom now, just because it’s out there in public that I’m leaving and there’s not something to hide about anymore,” he said. “I can just go out and enjoy it and not get too stressed that’s it’s potentially your last ever game at Scotstoun, but just make sure you enjoy every minute out there. That’s what I’ll be doing. Most likely a semi-final will be away from home so if selected, it’s about enjoying the moment.”

Kebble was part of the side that lost the 2019 Pro14 final to Leinster at Celtic Park and was in the squad last season as Glasgow reached the Challenge Cup final and URC quarter-finals. He said the message this week from head coach Franco Smith was to stay calm.

“It’s making sure we peak at the right time,” said the prop, who will be facing his former club. “I don’t know if Franco would agree with me but I’m quite happy we didn’t play well against Zebre [last week] and we are saving our best rugby for the finals. It would be the worst thing ever if we pumped Zebre 80-0 and then lost in the quarter-finals. Hopefully we are peaking at the right time, saving a few things for those games to come and end off by winning the competition.”