The former Gala captain predicted his side would win the RBS Premiership in his first full season in charge at the Greenyards ahead of their final game of the season at home to Currie at the weekend.

But, with the media spotlight focussing on the Maroons bid to be crowned Scottish champions for the first time in 31 years, ahead of their fina game against reigning champions Ayr, he claimed his players, who had to win and rely on their rivals slipping up, were not given the respect they deserved.

And he revealed he used that to motivate them.

When asked whether he expected the league to end the way it did, Dalziel told the Border Telegraph: “I did actually. I thought the media were making a lot of Gala and it was a wee bit disrespectful to our guys I thought, in some areas they weren’t getting spoken about enough.

“It was a really close title race and there was two big games to win, it was a flip of a coin stuff. I thought it (the media coverage) was very one sided and it kind of motivated us as well to come out here and get that result.” Having won more games than anyone else in the league, Dalziel pointed out Melrose deserved to be crowned Scottish champions.

However, with only one point separating first and second place in the race for the RBS Premiership, he revealed his thoughts were with neighbours Gala.

Dalziel said: “We beat Gala in the two games as well but I feel for them absolutely massively. They would have been deserved winners had they won that game (against Ayr) today. George (Graham, head coach) especially, I have a massive respect for him. Boys like Andy McLean have given their life to Gala. And I’m thinking about them quite a bit as well just now.

“I do that with respect because I’m a Gala man but I’m a Melrose coach and this is my club now and these guys have worked so hard for Bob (Chrystie, assistant coach) and I all this whole year and I’m just glad they are getting to reap the rewards.

“We’ve had 18 games and all 18 games have been an emotional rollercoaster, it’s taken a lot of effort to win the games, it’s never been comfortable. And today wasn’t much different.” With Scotland Under 20 star Damien Hoyland having won a professional contract with Edinburgh and question marks over the future of fellow summer signings Todd Pearce and James Head, there could be one or two changes to the Melrose line-up before the new season kicks-off.

However, with the Greenyards side having already booked their place in the Border League final and looking to defend their title when the Kings of the Sevens series kicks off next month, there is still plenty to play for this season.

Dalziel said: “We’ve got quite a settled squad. We’ve got a lot of guys who have been here for many years that have worked so hard for this club and we brought a lot of good players in as well, it’s a good blend. There is a good work ethic at the club and everybody has put so much effort into this (title win).

“We’ve already started looking at next season but we’ve got a Border League final to look forward to, as well as the Sevens, so it will be back to work on Tuesday.”