Laura Muir is getting into the winning habit according to scottishathletics’ director of coaching, Rodger Harkins.
The Kinross-shire middle distance runner was one of four Scots crowned British indoor champion in Sheffield last weekend.
The man who guided Lee McConnell to the Olympics on three occasions and a number of major championship medals believes Muir is “getting into a good habit” ahead of the European Championships in Prague next month.
Guy Learmonth, Kirsten McAslan and Allan Smith were the other three three gold medallists in Yorkshire, and Harkins observed: “To get four gold medals, eight medals in total and a number of PB performances in finals or heats at the British Champs really is encouraging.
“At scottishathletics we are talking about ‘Perform When it Counts’ as a strategy across the whole sport but, in competition, it is athletes and coaches who have to put that into practice and I’m delighted a number of them did that in Sheffield.
“Laura and Guy were both pretty much favourites in their events. Laura was faster than the rest of the field on paper and on current form and she made that count in her favour.
“I don’t think she was under quite the same pressure as Guy as she has won gold in Sheffield before but it is a good habit she is getting into there in terms of three-in-a-row.”
The GB and NI selection for the European Indoors will be made next week, following this weekend’s Grand Prix in Birmingham, with Harkins hopeful a few more Scots can join Muir and Smith, whose places look assured.
“We’ve some new names coming through and that is growing the list of contenders we have, certainly when it comes to British Champs,” he said.
“So, when you consider that the likes of Eilidh Child, Lynsey Sharp and Chris O’Hare and one or two others who are ranked highly in their events were not there, then collectively it was a fine performance. Well done to all the athletes and their coaches involved.”
Muir had a trio of let-downs in major championships last season, and the Dundee Hawkhill Harrier is keen to get her first senior medal in Prague.