EILISH FLIES THE FLAG

Golden girl of athletics to lead squad at end of Scotland's most successful Games since Glasgow 2014

- JOHN DINGWALL

RECORD MEDAL HAUL FOR THE PRIDE OF SCOTTISH SPORT

SCOTTISH Lionesses Laura Muir and Eilish McColgan put the seal on a magical Commonwealth Games with gold and silver medals on the final night of competition in Birmingham.

Eilish, who won 10,000m gold last week added a silver in the 5000m while Laura Muir added gold in the 1500m to the bronze she won in the 800m. Eilish will cap a wonderful fortnight by leading out the Scotland team as flagbearer for the closing ceremony.

It truly has been a memorable Games, Scotland's most successful outside of Glasgow 2014, with a haul of 49 medals including 12 gold, 11 silver, and 26 bronze.

A beaming Laura, 29, said: "I just thought my strength is in my kick.

"I've got a good bit of speed so I just tried to test it and hoped nobody caught me. I was tired and I just ran as hard as I could on the line."

Her team-mate Eilish was just as pleased for her compatriot as herself. Eilish said: "It's a dream - a gold and a silver. Knowing Laura got a gold and a bronze really spurred me on."

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the sporting class of 2022 could inspire a new generation of athletes.

She tweeted: "Team Scotland absolutely smashing these Commonwealth Games.

"Massive congratulations to all the medal winners - you've done us all proud."

She added: "I'm confident the performance of the athletes this year will inspire our athletes of the future."

Eilish, who emulated the achievements of mum Liz in 1986 and 1990, and set a new Commonwealth Games record, spoke of her pride at leading out Team Scotland tonight at the Alexander Stadium.