- Sean Everitt’s side have endured a slow start to the season and sit mid-table in the United Rugby Championship
- Experienced Scotland lock Gilchrist says the over-the-top criticism will only fire his side up to perform better
Grant Gilchrist has vowed to silence the critics who have taken aim at Edinburgh’s dismal start to the season, insisting it has brought an added ‘edge’ to their campaign.
The capital outfit lost their first three games of the United Rugby Championship, before beating Stormers 38-7 at the Hive last weekend.
Gilchrist helped Edinburgh secure a vital bonus point with a try against the South Africans on Saturday — and he hit back at what he perceived as ‘pretty personal’ attacks on Edinburgh over recent weeks, insisting negative headlines only served to spur his side on.
‘Everybody has a right to their keyboard and to write whatever they like,’ said the 34-year-old. ‘They seem to be pretty sharp on Edinburgh, and pretty personal, which I actually quite enjoyed because it has brought a real edge to us.
‘That’s an edge we’re going to need for the whole season.’
Sean Everitt’s men now face a tough challenge this weekend against Cardiff, who lie three places above them in sixth place in the URC table.
Edinburgh’s Grant Gilchrist says his team are playing with an edge after early-season criticism
Gilchrist crosses for a try against the Stormers which helped Edinburgh secure a bonus point
Gilchrist is enjoying the pressure of taking a leadership role within Edinburgh’s injury-hit squad
Gilchrist says he understands that fans may have been left frustrated with recent performances but is adamant it’s incumbent on Edinburgh to repeat the heroics of their last competitive outing, and prove their worth against the Welsh.
‘Yes, of course I do,’ admitted the player. ‘Everyone is entitled to it and we have to prove people wrong.
‘They’re going to turn up again this weekend and it’s about us proving everyone wrong every week from now until the end of the season. For years, every time we have a poor result, it is the same story, so we’re going to change that.
‘I think the people who support us are good people and they want what is best for the team. I’ve never had a fan be anything other than supportive of the team.’
With both Sam Skinner and Glen Young still recovering from injuries, Gilchrist is adamant he will only ‘relish’ the pressure of stepping up to the plate, with senior players playing a key role in the management of the game.
He added: ‘In big weeks for the club like last week, the senior guys have to stand up.
‘We’ve got so much quality, so many young lads coming through, they just need the guidance and people with experience in leadership to stand up and give them the support to allow them to go and play with the freedom they can bring. And I relish that.
‘I loved the whole week last week because these weeks make you a better person and a better player, a better character and you learn a lot.’
