Glasgow star Ruaridh Jackson has confessed their Euro glory quest is being driven by Edinburgh envy.
Jackson and his Warriors mates have had the upper hand over their closest rivals over the past few seasons, but the Scotland playmaker admitted they are jealous of the capital side because they reached the semi-finals of the Heineken Cup two years ago.
As he stepped up preparations for the crucial clash with Cardiff at the Arms Park, Jackson said: “That stat does bug us a little we are envious of what they achieved in 2011.
“We know we need to put in the performances, but Edinburgh’s feat does also drive us on towards the same experience.
“When you get to the knock-out stages it is all about which team turns up on the day.
“We have had a taste of knock-out rugby in the Pro12 play-offs, but unfortunately we have not been able to take the next step.
“The advanced rounds of the Heineken Cup is still a long way away, but we will focus on the back-to-back games with Cardiff and take things from there.”
Realistically, Glasgow need to win both ties with the Blues and then Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park to set up a pool decider with champions Toulon at Scotstoun in January.
Jackson added: “We have been down to Wales a couple of times this year and come away with a victory, so that’s what we’re looking to do this weekend.”
Jackson made it clear he was looking forward to playing on the new artificial pitch at the Arms Park. He said: “We train on the 3G surface at Scotstoun and sometimes on the 4G one at Toryglen.
“The Cardiff one is slightly different, but I am excited about the prospect.”
Meanwhile, fit-again flanker Ryan Wilson has been drafted into Glasgow’s Heineken Cup squad in place of the injured Peter Murchie.
Wilson made a try-scoring comeback from the bench in last week’s Pro12 success over the Ospreys at Swanea following a six-month lay-off.