SCOTLAND will field its largest Commonwealth Games team with up to 270 competitors determined to achieve a record medal haul in Glasgow next year.

 

The first 27 athletes to represent Team Scotland were named yesterday with 300 days to go to the start of the Games. "We are looking at a team of 250-270 members which would be the biggest team ever," said Jon Doig, Team Scotland chef du mission.

He was also optimistic of success, adding: "There are more people in contention across a great number of events than we have had in past games. It's at an early stage and things can change but if you look at that spread then we are at a better stage than ever."

There are hopes that Scotland could overtake the 26 medals won in Delhi in 2010 and Shona Robison, the sports minister, said: "I'm confident that with the significant investment from sportscotland our high performance athletes, combined with their own commitment and dedication to their sports, will ensure Team Scotland shines in Glasgow and have their best ever Games."

Commonwealth Games medallists Eilidh Child and Steph Twell were among the first batch of selections yesterday. Scottish Athletics named 23 competitors to go with four squash players. Nineteen of those selected are making their Commonwealth Games debuts.

Child, who won silver in the 400 metre hurdles in 2010, is included with bronze medallist Twell, who has recovered from serious injury to seal her place in the 5000m alongside Laura Whittle. Eilish McColgan is selected for the steeplechase.

Student Laura Muir will make her debut in the 800m and 1500m following a successful 2013, during which she reached the final of the European Indoors and won bronze at the European under-23s, both at 1500m, and competed in the lesser distance at the World Championships.

Marathon runner Susan Partridge will be Scotland's oldest athletics representative at the age of 34, while twice-Scottish cross country champion Derek Hawkins is named in the same distance after being the fastest Briton at this year's London Marathon.

A number of para-sport athletes have also been named including Meggan Dawson-Farrell, who will compete in the T54 1500m.

Alan Clyne will compete in all three squash events including the men's singles, while Harry Leitch and Alex Clark will compete in doubles and Frania Gillen-Buchert in both the women's doubles and the mixed doubles.