A product of Bishopbrigg's High and Allan Glen's club, Al had established himself with the Edinburgh Gunners and was a regular in Frank Haddden's international squad, so why make the move along the M8 to the team that propped up last season's Celtic League?
"I'm going to Glasgow for a number of reasons and being forced to is certainly not one of them," Al tells Rugby World, putting to rest rumours that Scotland coach Frank Hadden's hand was firmly in the small of his back. "I had just signed a two-year deal with Edinburgh, and Glasgow offered me exactly the same terms. If things go well I can see myself being here for a long time.
"Obviously it's a concern joining a team at the bottom of the table, but I've spoken to Sean (coach Sean Lineen) and he's an ambitious guy. He's signed a lot of players and at least one of them, Francisco (Leonelli), I know is a fantastic player. There is an element of coming home but I made a rugby decision; I wanted to do what was best for me, playing regularly and giving me the best chance I had of getting into the international team. Outside of rugby there are some benefits. I know a lot of people in Glasgow and my girlfriend is currently commuting from where we live in Livingston. I've since bought a place in the West End (of Glasgow) where it will be five minutes from my work and five minutes from hers."
The Gunners are also losing coach Todd Blackadder and Al pays handsome tribute to the part the Kiwi played in his development.
"Todd looked after me very well at U21 level and I think he probably had a hand in me going to Edinburgh," Al says.
Blackadder himself was originally destined to join Glasgow before ending up at Edinburgh, but Al wants to bring his former team-mate's good habits to the Warriors. "If Toddy hadn't gone back (to New Zealand) now it would have been a difficult decision (to leave Edinburgh), but I may have made the move anyway. I took a great deal from him, the way he plays, the way he trains. He would help you if you needed it but he'd also kick you up the arse if you needed it.
"Toddy instilled belief in us, that if we did the work and if we didn't cut any corners we would be good enough to be winning leagues and, on an individual level, starting for Scotland. Everyone at Glasgow wants to ensure that next season is a better one than last and I'm going to everything I can to make sure it is."