University of Glasgow Business and Management student Johnnie Beattie is poised to follow in the footsteps of his famous father and play Six Nations rugby for Scotland.

The 22 year old has been selected for Frank Hadden's Scotland squad, after scoring his debut try against Romania in a 2006 autumn test. 

Beattie, son of former Scotland and British Lions hero John Beattie, speaks in depth to Suzi Higton in the current edition of the student newspaper, Glasgow University Guardian which is available at outlets across the campus.

Johnnie Beattie (SRU/SWpix) 
Rugby in his blood
by Suzi Higton

Johnnie Beattie is not your average Glasgow student.

Unlike those of us who went down the pub to watch the opening games of the Six Nations at the weekend, he has played alongside the giants on the pitch – and has scored a try for Scotland.

The son of a former Scotland international and British Lion, Beattie has rugby in his blood.

“Rugby’s something I was brought up with,” the 22 year old says. “It was always around me. I loved all sports when I was a kid [Beattie has also played cricket for Scottish national teams] but I always really enjoyed playing rugby. When I started going to Glasgow Academy, rugby was massive there so it definitely hand an influence.”

Playing for the Glasgow Warriors is especially poignant for Beattie as his roots are firmly placed in the city. “It’s carries a big pride thing. Being a boy from Glasgow and representing Glasgow definitely gains respect from others.

“Playing for a team in England or France would be something I’d consider a few years from now. I’ve learnt a bit of French and I’m really interested in the culture.

“There’s definitely an element of making room for the younger generation coming up to play professionally and I think that would be a factor.”

For the time being, Beattie is concentrating on juggling sport with studying. How does the second year student find the time to combine playing for Scotland with his Glasgow University course in Business and Management?

“It was something I was really interested in and the department were really flexible. I was able to go in and speak to them about it and when I explained my commitments they were really understanding. Flexibility is really important in my profession – it’s something that will appeal to different employers as well.”

But he admits that sometimes it’s hard to relax into student life. He told Guardian: “I do get recognised a little bit. There’s been a couple of embarrassing times, especially in exams, because I feel like a big oaf sitting up at the front. It’s about blending in with the younger ones.”

His busy professional life and training schedule also make it difficult for twenty-two year old Beattie to socialise. “Drinking’s not really big on the agenda,” he says. “I’m hardly ever really in the union, but luckily I have a lot of contacts through sport and school.”

Instead of spending hours in the Beer Bar, much of Beattie’s time is taken up by his commitments with the Warriors and training with the Scotland squad in preparation for the Six Nations. After Scotland’s impressive performance in the World Cup, the young player has every confidence in the team’s ability to progress in this year’s competition.
“I hope Scotland can build on their World Cup performance. Everyone expected the team to get through to the quarter finals and maybe beat Argentina, and we have a re-developed team now.”

Playing alongside some of international rugby’s biggest names, does Beattie ever get star-struck?

“Rubbing shoulders with some of the world’s biggest players was a bit daunting at first – especially playing with the likes of Gordon Bulloch. But when you actually meet them, they’re just like me. Moreover, they’re just like you – everyone’s human and everyone has faults.”

(Interview reproduced with permission from the Glasgow University Guardian)

First published: 12 February 2008

<< February