Edinburgh 'just as ambitious' as Glasgow - Gilchrist

Grant Gilchrist says the only way to alter the contrasting perceptions of Edinburgh and Glasgow is for the capital side to turn over their rivals in the 1872 Cup.

The sides meet at Hampden Park on Sunday before the return leg at Murrayfield on 28 December.

Warriors have received widespread acclaim for their exploits in recent times, most notably last season's URC title win, while Edinburgh have been criticised for their long-standing struggle to find the consistency required to turn them into serious contenders.

"There's always a favourite and there's an underdog and the only way to change people's opinion is by doing it on the pitch," said Edinburgh captain Gilchrist.

"We haven't done it on the pitch, so when we when we do, then we'll deserve the plaudits. It's what's come to Glasgow, not because they've been looking for that as their main goal, because they've worked hard at their game, they've played well and they deserve the plaudits they've had.

"You look at the table, the gap between us and Glasgow, and you [the media] have talked so highly about Glasgow, rightly so, but two wins puts us pretty much level with them. So that puts us in the same conversation as them.

"We are as ambitious as they are. We are not just happy to turn up and play. We demand high standards of ourselves. And we know that these two games can put us back in that hunt. So that's got to be the goal for us."