After adding much-needed experience to their ranks, the Glasgow Tigers are looking to build on a 2018 season which saw them survive in Division 1 with a 3-7 record.
New Head Coach Ryan McCluskey and his staff have worked with more than 60 players throughout the preseason, with a number of former Tigers returning to the fold joined by players with experience at the top level of British American Football.
Despite a positive start last year, the Tigers faltered throughout the season but hope for a stronger campaign especially given additional depth at every position in the squad. As well as experienced heads, a number of first-year players will feature for the Tigers throughout the year.
Coach McCluskey’s side know they will be in for a tough start, with their first game on Sunday 21st April away to division favourites the Northumberland Vikings before another test a week later, at home to the Yorkshire Academy Rams.
When the fixtures were released last year, eyes were instantly drawn to a pair of Glasgow derbies against the East Kilbride Pirates, who have dropped into Division 1 from the Premier. The two teams face a short hop across Pollok Park for their games, with the Tigers hosting the first game at Nethercraigs on Sunday, May 19 before the reverse fixture at the Pirates’ Braidholm ground on Sunday, June 16.
The Tigers will also renew their battles with old rivals in the Aberdeen Roughnecks following their unbeaten season and subsequent promotion from Division 2. The teams last met in the 2017 season when the Tigers notched up a pair of 27-0 and 23-6 victories on their way to the Division 2 North Championship final.
While the Tigers may face a tough schedule in their bid to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2017, they go into the first game of the season knowing they must build on last year.
