5 SCOTS TO WATCH IN BIRMINGHAM

DUNCAN SCOTT (SWIMMING)

Scotland’s superstar of the pool will plan to unleash his frustrations on his rivals after missing last month’s worlds with Covid. In Gold Coast in 2018, he set a Scottish record of six medals at a single Commonwealths, then followed that up at the Tokyo Olympics by becoming the first Brit to make the podium four times in one Games. Entered in five individual events and with up to five possible relay shots, the 25-year-old admits he will need to pick and choose despite his rapid comeback from the virus. That could mean a late call tomorrow over whether to prioritise a possible 200metres freestyle showdown with Englishman Tom Dean — who beat him to Olympic gold 12 months ago — or throw everything into the 400m individual medley that’s become one of his big bets for Paris 2024.

JAKE WIGHTMAN (ATHLETICS)

The 28-year-old from Edinburgh was thrust into the international spotlight two weeks ago when he brilliantly secured the men’s 1500m title at the World Championships in Oregon while dad Geoff performed MC duties on the stadium microphone. It was reward for a huge overhaul that began as soon as he was tenth at the Tokyo Olympics, via a miserable Saturday in Lanark for a winter crosscountry meeting, before ending up atop the podium receiving his gold from Sebastian Coe. Wightman now wants to back it up but will face stiff competition from Edinburgh club-mate Josh Kerr — with the bronze medallist from Japan surely stung by coming fifth in the worlds. The Europeans are looming in a fortnight and, in a calendar crammed due to changes of dates due to Covid, there may never be another chance to hunt such a unique treble.

LAURA MUIR (ATHLETICS)

‘Unfinished business’ is how the Olympic silver medallist has described these Games ever since the confetti was swept away in Japan. The Commonwealths is not officially considered one of athletics’ major championships. But Muir sees this is as the last missing piece in a personal Grand Slam that would make her career closer to complete. The bronze she earned from the women’s 1500m final at the world championships was reward for arguably the best run of her life. At 29, she owns world medals, indoors and out. Ditto for Europeans. Plus that Olympic medal. Just one gap on the CV, then. At Glasgow 2014, she was dogged by bad luck when she was tripped and trailed in 11th. In 2018, vet exams took precedence. With Kenya’s world champion Faith Kipyegon opting out of Birmingham, few Brits will have better chances.

ALEX MARSHALL (LAWN BOWLS)

Fifty-five years young but still bowling strong, no Scot has collected more medals at Commonwealths than the man they call Tattie. His first gold came in Manchester 20 years ago. Another in Melbourne. Two in Glasgow. One in Gold Coast. Birmingham will be his seventh Games with solid shots in the fours — where he’ll defend the title — and pairs where he and longtime comrade Paul Foster will chase an historic hat-trick in the event. Despite 21 world titles, the Hearts-daft cult hero has always felt his greatest love for the greens of the Commonwealths. His double in 2014 had Kelvingrove dancing on its feet — and few could forget his celebrations at the end of an iconic semi-final victory over England that rocked the normally sedate pastures of the bowling green. Whatever happens there can, and will only ever be, one Tattie.

NEAH EVANS (TRACK CYCLING)

With Katie Archibald out with multiple injuries, her frequent sidekick gets an opportunity to steal the spotlight and lead the charge for Anglo-Scottish bragging rights at London’s velodrome. Evans has signed up for a brutal schedule of individual pursuit, scratch race and points race — plus the time trial and road race in the Great Outdoors. ‘The road is just a bit of fun,’ she confirmed. The rest will be anything but — particularly with a host nation expecting Laura Kenny to be a golden girl over and over again on the track where she raced to twin Olympic titles a decade ago. Evans has a perfect opportunity to push her case for more solo shots from British Cycling en route to Paris 2024. The 31-yearold is eyeing a Commonwealth crown following a silver and bronze in Gold Coast might spark a medal rush.