SILVER AND GOLD

Eilish hopes bracelet works like a charm

- ALAN SMITH

EILISH McCOLGAN hopes a bracelet gifted by her late grandmother can inspire her to take a giant step tonight towards the Olympic Games.

The Scottish star admits she feels vulnerable knowing that the Paris selectors are waiting for her to prove her fitness, having endured a torrid time with a left knee injury since breaking the British half marathon record 14 months ago.

The passing of her stepdad John Nuttall, who ran in the 5,000m at the 1996 Olympics, and her maternal grandmother in recent months has made it the most difficult period of her career.

But in the nick of time she is returning to shape and will be lifted further by having her mum, Liz, cheering from the sidelines for this evening’s 10,000m final at the European Championship.