CONNOR BRAID has waited seven months to get his first full 80 minutes in a Glasgow shirt.

The Canadian is ready to put up a fight to make sure his second is not far away.

First brought to Scotstoun back in August 2014 from London Scottish on loan, Braid has found game time difficult to come by in a Warriors team that has barely put a foot wrong all season.

The 24-year-old returned to his parent club at the end of an initial three-month period at the turn of the year before joining back up with Gregor Townsend's side for the RBS Six Nations.

It was a move that last week was extended until the end of the season, with Braid being rewarded with his first start in Glasgow colours in the 22-10 defeat in Cork to Munster.

And with bottom-of-the-table Zebre - a side the Scots defeated 10-54 only last month - coming to Scotstoun on Friday night in the GUINNESS PRO12, the Canadian Sevens international is keen to impress further.

He said: "I'm just honoured to wear this jersey and play. To start was awesome.

"That's the thing, though. Once you get a taste of 80 minutes it's really tough to then get anything less than that.

"It's great to be back. The Munster game at the weekend was another level of pace compared to the Championship. I think all the boys were feeling it in their lungs because it was such a quick game.

"I was happy with some things I did, but disappointed with others. It was nice to get the responsibility of playing No.10 especially given the two teams are at the top of the PRO12. For a Canadian that is pretty good exposure.

"It was an opportunity for me to showcase me. There are positives to take from it."

Braid is aware how tough it will be to hold on to a starting jersey for this Friday's league tie with the Italians.

Nine Glasgow players have been released back to Warriors from the Scotland squad and could feature in a game Townsend's men simply cannot afford to slip up in.

If he does get the nod for his second start, Braid is ready to handle the pressure and responsibility that will rest on his and the rest of the Glasgow line-up's shoulders.

And he is keen to make sure they don't allow Zebre a chance into the match as they did against their Irish opponents at the weekend.

"To lose in Munster was a real disappoint," he said. "We put ourselves in a good position at 12-10 to build on our momentum. We then gave away points and to be fair they scored a couple of good tries.

"When we played Zebre a few weeks ago they weren't really up for it. I think they had some internal issues going on.

"In the last two weeks they have really stepped up and I think it will be a different Zebre team this time round.

"It's a huge game for us coming off a loss and especially coming back home."