Murdoch says it will be ‘dog eat dog’ at Tollcross

Ross Murdoch has dusted himself down, regrouped and now will target a world championship spot today in Glasgow which would prove he remains potent in the pool.

The ex-commonwealth champion, 25, is primed to go head to head with Olympic champion Adam Peaty and fifth-ranked James Wilby in the 100 metres breaststroke on the opening night of the British trials at Tollcross.

Coming out on top is a massive ask, admits the Scot, who walked away empty-handed from last summer’s Europeans in the same pool. But it’s still all systems go for Tokyo 2020 with the sport’s chiefs showing their confidence in Murdoch’s abilities by retaining him in their elite squad.

And with some tweaks to his technique embedded, and a smooth build-up to the meeting, the Stirlingbased star has pledged to demonstrate he is worth a spot in South Korea in July, and again when the Olympics come round next summer.

“It’s important for me to go into the meeting knowing it will be the same in a year’stime,”murdoch,who took world 100m bronze in 2015, said. “I’ve already seen Adam and James put down some really quick times really early. I’m in the chasing pack. I’m in the peloton chasing the breakaways. It’s dog eat dog.

“But it’s different for me now. 2014 was different to 2013. 2016 was different to 2015. The last few years have changed again. I’m back to where I was, trying to make a team for the first time. I’m chasing. But I quite like that. I don’t mind it. It keeps me motivated.”

Peaty is ready for the challenge, though. “Everyone’s going to be taking a pop at me and I’ll have to fend everyone off. But I know where I’m heading and I want to do something remarkable at the world championships.”

Hannah Miley will bid to keep up her quick return from foot surgery in the 400m individual medley, while Rio 2016 silver medallist Stephen Milne is set to duel with Daniel Jervis in the 400m freestyle.