A record-breaking nine Scots will be on the start line for Glasgow 2019 as the European Athletics Indoor Championships provide a unique opportunity for a succession of home athletes.
Glasgow 2019 ambassador Laura Muir leads the biggest-ever contingent of Scottish athletes since the continental gathering began back in 1966.
Tickets still remain for morning sessions at the Emirates Arena, giving the nation’s public the chance to roar on their local heroes in a feverish indoor atmosphere like no other.
GET TICKETS HERE OR FROM THE BOX OFFICE AT THE EMIRATES ARENA
Here’s our guide to each and every one of them.
Andy Butchart – 3000m
After breaking his foot last April and undergoing subsequent surgery, Butchart is back and will be at his combative racing best in Scotland’s biggest city.
From: Stirling
What he said: “Coming back to Glasgow, it’s a place for me to put myself out there, to show people I’m back, back for good and back to being the best.”
When to catch him: Friday at 12.30pm
Zoey Clark – 400m and 4x400m relay
Clark is a form horse on the back of scooping a surprise national 400m title at the British Indoors a fortnight ago and has elite indoor pedigree after relay bronze at the World Indoors last year.
From: Aberdeen
What she said: “Scotland’s not a big country so to have such a strong fraction of the team is amazing. It’s so impressive.”
When to catch her: Individual on Friday at 1pm, relay on Sunday at 8:40pm
Eilidh Doyle – 400m and 4x400m relay
Scotland’s most decorated athlete ran a season’s best last weekend at the Muller Grand Prix and has a fearsome relay reputation, as an Olympic bronze medallist back in 2016.
From: Perth
What she said: “I had been so busy last year with the indoors and the Commonwealths that we thought ‘should we maybe miss indoors? But then when you know it is in Glasgow, you think ‘no I can’t miss that!”
When to catch her: Individual on Friday at 1pm, relay on Sunday at 8:40pm
Neil Gourley – 1500m
The local lad’s Great Britain debut in his home city is one of the fairytale stories of the Championships, stunning the field at the British Indoors to scoop the national crown.
From: Giffnock North
What he said: “I pretty much do still have to pinch myself about what is happening. It is the first time I have ever made a major team at international level and for it to be in Glasgow is special.
When to catch him: Friday at 11:55am
Guy Learmonth – 800m
The Scot was gunning for Tom McKean’s Scottish Indoor record last weekend and has been nominated to captain the British team by his peers, the ultimate show of respect.
From: Berwick-upon-Tweed
What he said: “I believe we can top that medal table and there is no better place to do it than home soil. Glasgow is going to be one to remember.”
When to catch him: Friday at 7:48pm
Eilish McColgan – 3000m
After a first senior medal last summer, McColgan will be hoping to harness the power of home support and ideal preparation in the form of a South Africa training camp alongside Muir.
From: Dundee
What she said: “Had it not been in Glasgow, it wouldn’t have been so much of a focus. But since I won a medal at the last Euro Indoors, I feel there’s no reason I can’t compete with these girls.”
When to catch her: Friday at 9:40pm
Laura Muir – 1500m & 3000m
She doesn’t need any further introduction: could we see Laura make history and defend both titles? Konstanze Klosterhalfen will stand in her way over both distances.
From: Inverness
What she said: “I don’t want to go out there and do a mediocre performance. I want to go out there and smash it. It is Glasgow of all places. If it was somewhere else, I don’t know if we would have done the double but it is such a big opportunity for me.”
When to catch her: Friday at 7:10pm and Sunday at 8:12pm
Chris O’Hare – 3000m
Having scooped bronze at the European Indoor Championships back in 2015, O’Hare has negotiated a tough run of injuries and is a real medal contender.
From: West Linton
What he said: I’m ready now to go again and the good thing is I am definitely in much better shape than I was in Australia for the Commonwealths. It’s going to be very exciting.”
When to catch him: Friday at 12:30pm
Jemma Reekie – 1500m
Laura Muir’s training partner is a pugnacious performer and scooped gold at the European Junior Championships in 2017.
From: North Ayrshire
What he said: “I really wanted to be in Glasgow. Laura is the best in the world and every day I am challenging her. I’m learning so much from her and from Andy, who is the best coach.”
When to catch her: Friday at 7:10pm