Reid: Scotland call is cherry on the cake

A year ago, Reid was on the periphery of the Warriors squad but he excelled last season as Glasgow recorded their best-ever RaboDirect PRO12 finish, making 19 appearances and scoring two tries, including in the play-off semi-final victory over Munster.

His performances also saw him move ahead of British & Irish Lion Ryan Grant in the Warriors' pecking order in the final weeks of the season.

And he will run out for Scotland for the first time on Sunday against the USA in head coach Vern Cotter's first match in charge, having been an unused substitute against Tonga in November 2012.

Reid left the business he had built up in Ayr to embark on a career in professional rugby and he believes that background has played a huge role in his progress to the top.

"I was just there playing for Glasgow and trying to be the best I can be. To get a call to travel with Scotland was fantastic, the cherry on the cake. To get called up and be starting is even better," the 27-year-old told The Times.

"Working first puts you in good stead, makes you think about things instead of starting rugby at a young age and not having any kind of career.

"It gave me the attitude and drive to push on. I don't want to go back to that, though. I want to push on further."

Despite the disappointment of the RaboDirect PRO12 final defeat against Leinster, Reid insists he has not dwelt on the hurt.

"I am always just focused on the game ahead, if you start looking at the next game and the game after that, you lose concentration," he added.

"I was focused on the final and once that was done and dusted, you move on. The last match was in the league, it's totally different to stepping up for Scotland.

"That gives you a shake and says, 'I need to step up more because I'm playing for my country.' There are a lot of people depending on us."

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