JEMMA'S TURNED OVER NEW BELIEF

Reekie runs her way to Rome showdown after impressive 1500m opener at Euros

- MARK WOODS

JEMMA REEKIE warned her rivals she is ready to go panning for gold in Rome after an impressive opener at the European Championships.

The 26-year-old Scot shrugged off some bumping to ease through to tomorrow night's 1500 metres final with a commanding win in her heat in 4:06.68.

Self-belief, she signalled, will not be in short supply following the re-build orchestrated by her Brighton-based coach Jon Bigg that was required following a bout of glandular fever and an abrupt split from previous mentor Andy Young.

A maiden major title, eight weeks out from the Paris Olympics, would serve as a powerful illustration of her rebound.

"It would be massive and it would take me right back to my first junior medal which was at European Championships for the 1500," the world indoor silver medallist said.

"It'd be lovely to be able to do that.