Scotstoun triathlete Marc Austin has vowed to make his own headlines in Glasgow next week as he gears up for the European Championships at Strathclyde Park.

Austin wowed his home crowd and the millions watching when he sprung from nowhere to push Olympic legends Alistair and Jonny Brownlee all the way four years ago at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow before fading late on to finish just outside the top 20.

While he still competes with the same mindset of leaving it all on the course, he has matured since 2014 and comes into Glasgow in fine form after winning Scotland’s first medal at the Gold Coast Commonwealth games earlier this year with an impressive bronze in an elite field.

And the 24-year-old is hoping his new-found maturity and proven ability to perform on the big stage will give him every chance of winning another major medal next week.

“I’m definitely hoping to make my own headlines this time,” he insisted. “I made them last time as part of the breakaway with the Brownlee brothers and ended up finishing outside the top 20.

“At the Commonwealth Games earlier this year I set out to prove I was better than I showed in Glasgow four years ago and it will be the exact same mentality again here.

“This will be the same course as 2014 too – so I’m looking to show how much I’ve come on as an athlete.

“I’ve still got the same mentality of racing at the front but hopefully this time I’ll have the strength and endurance to see it through to the finish line.”

Understandably, the triathlete suffered a dip in form after the biggest result of his career down under in April but he is adamant he has put that behind him and is in the best shape he has been in since winning that bronze.

His most recent result, 10th place at the 2018 ITU Triathlon World Cup in Antwerp in June – just 20 seconds away from a medal – backs this up.

He said: “I had a bit of a dip in form after the Gold Coast for various reasons. I had some time off with illness and injury as well but I still came back well to finish 10th in Antwerp.

“I’m coming right back into form at the right time now. I feel really good and fit right now so I feel I’m ready to produce another really good race.

“I’m the fittest I’ve been since the Gold Coast and I’m in similar shape to what I was there – it’s all just about producing and getting the most out of myself on the day now.”

Austin credits the Glasgow crowd four years ago with helping him match the Brownlee’s for the majority of the race and he is relying on more of the same next week to push him all the way. This will be the first time he has competed in Glasgow since 2014 and it will also be the first time he has competed in Scotland since his Commonwealth Bronze.

He said: “I’m definitely excited to be back competing in Glasgow again. It will be good to have an opportunity to have a big race in front of a big home crowd. That’s really exciting.

“It’s going to be special getting the support from the home crowd again, especially after my medal at the Commonwealth Games. Maybe a few more people will know who I am now and even cheer me a bit more.

“There will be pressure there too as people will certainly be expecting a bit more from me now but that’s a good thing. I put that pressure on myself too.

“I’m a lot more confident now that I’ve proven that I can compete with the best. The home crowd pushed me round last time and I managed to get more out of myself in Glasgow than I have anywhere else I’ve competed. I’m hoping the same happens again.

“I’m looking forward to emptying the tank and seeing what I can produce on the day in front of a big home crowd.”

Away from competing for medals at the very top level, Austin is hoping that another successful major event in his home city will not only see Glasgow right back at the forefront of world sport but also provide a pathway into sport for local children.

He went on: “I’m really excited for the whole week, to be honest. It was great seeing Glasgow like this with all the sport and lots of other events in the city back in 2014 and I’m hoping for the same next week.

“I’m hoping everyone gets out and watches anything they can and hopefully get into something new and a bit different.

“The BMXing will be near my house at Knightswood Park so I’m hoping local kids will come to see that. Kids picking up new sports is the best thing that can come from these games.”