IT IS the stuff of Hollywood legend.

We've all seen it before in some low budget cowboy movie. The main protagonist has his time in the limelight before disappearing from sight, only to re-emerge as the hero in the grand finale to upset the odds, rescue some poor damsel in distress and sweep her off her feet as they ride off into the sunset together.

From a western to the west end of Glasgow, a similar plot is developing as Ulster mosey on into town this weekend attempting to upset everyone in their path.

Currently one point behind joint-top Warriors, the Northern Irish team are well in the mix to not only deny their hosts one of two much-desired home play-off semi-finals, but snatch it for themselves. There is also the matter of Ospreys and Munster both trying to achieve the same goal elsewhere.

There may not be too many damsels around the Scotstoun dressing room, but a fair few of them will have been in distress following last Friday's 21-10 defeat away to Ospreys which leaves the GUINNESS PRO12 table too tight to call with just a game left apiece.

Enter Al Kellock, Glasgow's leading man.

Warriors fans probably feared they had seen the last of the 33-year-old who is due to retire in a matter of weeks. After all, many of them had their skipper paraded in front of them only last month in a match against Cardiff Blues that saw him walk out with both his children, Ruaridh and Kate, by his side. It almost seemed the most fitting and emotional send off he could have been afforded.

Until today, of course, where he will return once again to lead his team out in front of a 10,000 home crowd at Scotstoun to, hopefully, save the day.

"The Cardiff game was the tribute game," joked Kellock, who replaces the injured Tim Swinson for Glasgow today.

"I knew after that game there was the potential I'd be playing again and the focus for me was to make sure I maintained my fitness and worked as hard as I could. The boss intimidated to me that I'd be involved again. Not that that was his definite plan but that was the feeling a few weeks ago.

"I'd have been motivated anyway. I wasn't going to play the game the length I have and then let it slip for the last few weeks!

"The Cardiff game was great and I got to take the kids out but there is less going on here. It's easier to narrow the focus on what we need to do."

Kellock is the epitome of all that is good about Glasgow Warriors. His passion for the cause is second to none, his leadership is inspirational. But above all, he's still one hell of a rugby player.

That was a fact underlined by Gregor Townsend, the Glasgow head coach, who admitted that he had his captain in mind to play in such a game given all that he brings to the cause.

"This is a game I would have looked to play Al in. I think he has played really well especially since Christmas time. He was excellent against Cardiff," said Townsend.

"You have 16 or 17 years of experience there and also a passion for the club.

It is really pleasing for me but he is playing well. That is the first thing anyone has to do to get in the team."

Kellock's legacy at Glasgow will not be defined by his contribution over 80 minutes this afternoon. Yet the Glaswegian knows the importance of the last few weeks of this season will resonate with him for years to come.

Not part of the team that went down in Swansea last Friday, the former Scotland internationalist and Barbarian still took it upon himself to cajole those around him who perhaps feared the level of pressure on them was beginning to take its toll.

It is that influence that will be remembered long after his 6ft 8in frame has disappeared from sight.

"From a personal point of view this game means a lot, definitely. But not just this game, the Cardiff game but the Ospreys game," explained Kellock.

"I said to the boys [after that defeat] if we are sitting with that trophy in four weeks' time it's because of that night and the reality that set in when we're not as good as we can be. Ospreys were very good and we were not.

"That's taught us a lot of lessons and we'll find out tomorrow and over the next couple of weeks if we have learned from them."

Kellock will be fighting a war on two fronts today. While taking to the field to get the better of an Ulster team which has made a staggering 12 changes to the starting XV, the captain will also be attempting to keep tabs on what is going on elsewhere.

Fellow leaders Ospreys are away to Connacht while third-placed Munster host Newport. Glasgow currently sit in second despite the three teams being joined on points, and Kellock knows that an all-important bonus point may be crucial. However, he is keen to focus on getting into a winning position before assessing what else, if anything, needs to be done.

"Ultimately the focus is on just winning the game. We are going to find out what is going on elsewhere, certainly I will be seeking information as skipper. But we can't do anything else until the game is won," he said.

"They have mixed it up but I was speaking to Shady [Shade Munro, the Glasgow coach] there and we must have made six or seven changes. They have stacked the bench with their bigger name players, but that's up to them. We have got to beat the team put in front of us.

"They are a rated team. We must be at our best in front of a sold out crowd. We have the chance of coming back here next week and it's huge."