WING star DTH van der Merwe got the crucial score for Glasgow in their 16-14 Guinness PRO12 play-off semi-final win over Ulster - but the Canadian international played an equally vital part in his team's fightback after coming off the bench.

With the Warriors having been second best in most aspects of the game for most of the match, anxiety was creeping into their play - so coach Gregor Townsend gave the substitute an important message to deliver to his team-mates when he replaced Tommy Seymour 12 minutes from time.

"The message I had to bring on when I came off the bench was for the players just to keep enjoying it," van der Merwe said. "For a lot of guys it was their last game in Glasgow, at Scotstoun, so they had to keep enjoying it.

"We were quite stiff about everything. Too worried about the next play."

With time running out, it was Ulster who began to stiffen up and look worried, and the winger's try four minutes from time levelled the score before Finn Russell's conversion sealed the win

"I didn't even look at it," van der Merwe said of the stand-off's kick from out on the right touchline. "I couldn't look. I looked at the grass, looked at the ground, and just listened for the crowd. I don't like those kind of things.

"I'm so glad he made that kick. He's a young guy, with all that pressure on his head. It just shows the quality of this team."

The 29-year-old winger is one of those players who will be moving on in the summer, having signed a deal with PRO12 rivals Scarlets.

A hand injury earlier in the year denied him his ambition of making 100 appearances in Glasgow colours before leaving for Wales, but he was determined to be fit enough for the closing stages of the campaign - and is now equally determined to bow out on a high in Saturday's final against Munster in Belfast.

"I was aiming to get to 100 games. For that to happen, I would have had to play every game, but then the injury happened.

"But we're actually at the final and I'm just so thankful. I'm thankful to the team, because everyone played so well and we've made it through and now it's our chance.

"A few weeks ago my scan [on the hand] wasn't great, but after that my strength started getting better and I'm so glad that I could play a part in this game. I couldn't leave this amazing city and those amazing supporters without signing off.

"From the start of this year, our goal has been to be the first Scottish team to win this title. You can't be shy about it: you have to believe it. Like our slogan says: Whatever it takes. That will happen this week."