COLIN SHAW today hailed Glasgow's 24-3 RaboDirect Pro12 play-off clinching victory over Connacht as the perfect home finale for coach Sean Lineen's Firhill swansong.
Warriors will now head to the Royal Dublin Showgrounds on Saturday night to face European champions Leinster in the second play-off semi-final, with Ospreys hosting Munster in the first 24 hours earlier.
At stake is a first-ever place in the Pro12 grand final on the last weekend in May and Shaw is determined to make it a final curtain call.
The Warriors winger, who will move on in the summer, is desperate to extend his Glasgow career by two more games.
The Firhill flyer said: "Beating Connacht at Firhill in our final home game of the season and final game at the ground to claim the play-off berth was massive.
"It was pretty emotional for all the boys who will be moving on in the summer, but the job is only half done.
"I am gutted to be leaving at the end of the season but I want two more games in a Glasgow shirt before it is finally over.
"We will go to the RDS believing in our ability to beat Leinster on their patch as we did in the Pro12 in the first half of the season.
"No-one is underestimating how tough that will be, but there is no bigger confidence boost than to get our first win over Connacht in three years to put us in the play-offs."
A crowd of 5,347 willed the Warriors to give Lineen a victorious send-off and they obliged in style.
Shaw added: "I will never forget Saturday night. It was just a great way to say goodbye to the home support who have been fantastic for us over the campaign."
Despite the emotional backdrop to the game, the opening quarter was a scrappy affair.
But Warriors began to assert control on proceedings thanks to the boot of Duncan Weir who slotted two penalties before DTH van der Merwe touched down after another superb solo effort which Weir converted.
John Barclay's try from a driven scrum 10 minutes from time put the game completely beyond a Connacht side that refused to go quietly. Now the popular Shaw admits the battle for a play-off jersey will be at its most intense at training over the next few days.
He said: "This is the game no-one will want to miss out on. Can we do it? We believe we can."
Warriors skipper Al Kellock and outgoing coach Lineen, both addressed the Firhill faithful after full-time on a night when feelings ran high.
The duo were both given standing ovations. But Lineen has vowed that Glasgow will not be going to Ireland to make the numbers up. He said: "The expectation is high, but we will be going to the RDS to be positive. This is our cup final.
"Leinster are the best team in Europe and the most consistent and that is what you want to measure yourself against.
"But we are going there to win and we are full of the belief we can do that."
Lineen was also quick to pay tribute to his nine departing stars and skipper for the night Federico Aramburu in particular.
The Glasgow coach said: "I am proud of every one of the lads and I just want to say to all the boys who will be leaving during the summer how important they have been in our bid to make the play-offs.
"I thought Federico led from the front as I knew he would. It was a massive night for him with his family having flown over for the game and he gave them a night they will never forget.
"We have had a few great nights at Firhill and it was great to end our time there on another one.
"But we are determined to make sure we have two more games to play."