Kilbarchan ace Jemma Reekie looked untouchable as she eased to her first senior gold medal at the British Indoor Championships in Birmingham earlier this month... and has now set her sights on European Championship glory in Glasgow next week.

The 20-year-old, European U20 champion in 2017, was in supreme form in the 1500m final as she put in a mature performance to cruise to the British title, sitting back in fifth with one lap to go before making light work of the rest of the field. 

That gold saw her clinch a coveted spot on the senior British team for the European Championships in Glasgow next week with the youngster owing her success to a tough winter training regime. 

The Gazette: Jemma Reekie storms through the field to clinch first senior gold medal the British Indoor ChampionshipsJemma Reekie storms through the field to clinch first senior gold medal the British Indoor Championships

"I'm really pleased with the gold in Birmingham. That was my first senior gold so it was great to get it at the British Championships," she told Gazette Sport. "I was sitting in fifth with one lap to go but I knew I had plenty left in my legs and I was confident that I could do it. I had a good winter training block before going to South Africa to put the work in.

"I had to tell myself to hang back a bit and trust that I had that strength in the last 100 meters. I'm now racing against senior girls and they're all amazing. They're all ranked high in the world so I know I can't get away with mistakes or things I used to get away with racing in the juniors. I have to be really smart in these races and do what my coach tells me to do - and it paid off in Birmingham."

Reekie's reward for such a dominant display in Birmingham is a potential showdown with 1500m national record record holder and defending champion Laura Muir.

Muir and Reekie train together under coach Andy Young and the Kilbarchan runner admits she would relish the chance to compete against the defending champion.

"I love that I could be competing against Laura in Glasgow. We warm up and train together every day so I get to see everything she's doing and learn from it. She's absolutely flying right now so it's just amazing to be on a team with someone like Laura. To grow up and train with her and then make the same team to compete against her is really special."

The Gazette: The Kilbarchan youngster cannot wait to be back competing at Glasgow's Emirates ArenaThe Kilbarchan youngster cannot wait to be back competing at Glasgow's Emirates Arena

As well as the excitement of taking on her training partner and defending champion, Reekie cannot wait to compete in front of a home crowd next week.

Glasgow will see the arrival of more than 600 athletes from 50 nations take to the tracks at the Emirates Arena from March 1 to March . 

Reekie added: "I've never actually experienced a home crowd in a major competition before. I can't wait for that side of it, too. That was one of the main reasons why I was so keen to qualify for Glasgow - you just never know when you will get a home championships to compete in so to have it right on your doorstep is great. I train on that track every week so just to be there in front of a big crowd will be special."

Reekie will be in action on the opening day's evening session around 7pm where she will be aiming to qualify for the final which takes place on Sunday evening.