Geech not finished just yet

Lions legend dedicates knighthood to his family

Last updated: 31st December 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Geech not finished just yet

McGeechan: Dedicated honour to his family

At the moment I am enjoying a rest from coaching and enjoying more time with my family, but my passion for rugby and for sporting excellence remains undimmed

Sir Ian McGeechan
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Sir Ian McGeechan admits his passion for rugby "remains undimmed" after he was awarded a knighthood in the New Year Honours List.

The 63-year-old has been honoured for his services to rugby after achieving success as both a player and a coach in the sport.

McGeechan, who dedicated the knighthood to his family, won 32 caps for Scotland before leading them to Grand Slam and Five Nations glory as coach.

However it is with the British and Irish Lions that he has enjoyed the most success, going on seven tours in total - two as a player and five as a coach.

He was in charge of the squads that won in Australia in 1989 and then in South Africa eight years later. He also coached the 1993 squad that came up short against New Zealand.

Future involvement

McGeechan most recently led the Lions in South Africa this summer, the tourists narrowly losing the series 2-1.

Although taking a break from the sport, he has said he is done with ruigby just yet having previously hinted that he would like to be involved in some capacity for the 2013 Lions trip to Australia.

"This honour couldn't have been achieved without the backing of my wife, Judy, and my children Heather and Rob," he said.

"It is their constant support that has provided such an inspiration to me and this honour would not have been possible without them. I am very proud of my family and I want to dedicate this honour to them.

"Rugby has been a huge part of my life for over 40 years and to have achieved everything I have with Scotland, in club rugby and with the Lions has been an immensely rewarding and enjoyable experience.

"At the moment I am enjoying a rest from coaching and enjoying more time with my family, but my passion for rugby and for sporting excellence remains undimmed."

Comments (6)

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Marvin Cassidy says...

Keep it up Geech, we need you down under in 2013.

Posted 11:37 3rd January 2010

Graham Wall says...

Thank you Geech for restoring Pride in the Lions, I was dismayed on the NZ Tour 2005 to be greeted at Aukland by banners welcoming the PUSSY CATS !! Lions once again !!

Posted 12:24 2nd January 2010

Jonny Boy says...

***WELL DONE TO GEECH*** very long overdue, the man is an absolute legend. His manner with players, coaches, management and the media is second to none and has been throughout his career to date. I've got no doubts at all that he will remain within rugby union with a hands on approach. Unlike that other geezer that got a knighthood, whats his name, oh yeah Woodward. He cant hold a candle to GEECH and never will be able to.

Posted 12:37 31st December 2009

Hugh Maxwell says...

Well done and thoroughly deserved! A true gentleman of sport.

Posted 12:11 31st December 2009

Gareth Cleland says...

couldn't be more deserved for someone who comes across as caring and genuine about sport in an era where some of those qualities have been lost.

Posted 12:03 31st December 2009

Ben G says...

Geech we love you!!! Thank-you for all you have done and hopefully all that you have left to do. You are a total legend and I have total respect for you.

Posted 09:21 31st December 2009
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