Athletics: interview with director of coaching Stephen McGuire

The head of Team Scotland's record-breaking 58 person athletics squad is moving onto pastures new after the Games finish.

For many, a move to British Athletics would only be seen as a positive but the Northern Irishman says he will find it difficult to leave Scotland behind.

He said: "I haven't actually celebrated getting the British job, and ordinarily I would have done, because I've a job to do here in Scotland.

"I've really loved my time here; I don't think my time is over in Scotland, I don't want it to be because I made a big mistake when I came in and got emotionally attached to things.

"We have some really good people and I think the prospects and potential is huge.

"I would love to still be a tiny wee bit of that and I think from my role in British Athletics I'll be able to help things along there as well."

He added: "People can quite rightly turn round and say it was my choice to leave, but when you look at it from a career perspective and the opportunity I have been given to work with British Athletics, you need to look on and you need to be the best that you can be."

Maguire took up the post in September 2012 and has seen Scottish Athletics flourish on the run up to the Games.

He seemed confident that if Team Scotland's athletes perform to their best on the day, that the country will enjoy a successful Games and surpass the two medals won at the 2006 and 2010 games.

"We've enough talented athletes there that are able to do that, but you have to temper that as well with the quality of what this year's Commonwealth Games is going to be like," he said.

"I know the athletes are up for the challenge, we at Scottish Athletics are up for the challenge and I think that it's nice and positive at the moment.

"People are competing with smiles on their faces and they're really keen on getting things right towards the Games."

He was also confident that many athletes who are considered to be in the 'medal zone' were showing promising form in the lead up to the games.

At this point, Maguire sees his job as keeping as many athletes as he can fit and healthy and able to compete to the best of their abilities.

Although he was cautious about 'hanging medals' around any individual athletes neck, the Northern Irishman did indicate some events in which he thought Team Scotland's athletes were in with a strong shout of a podium finish.

He said: "If you look at men's hammer for example we've guys that are right there, women's middle distance as we have women who are ranked highly and Libby Clegg in the T12 100metres.

"But I probably wouldn't discount anyone, they'll all be bringing their own specific goals to the games and I think if they are able to achieve their goals then things will be right.

"There are 58 athletes there who are selected; 58 athletes who are different ages and at different stages of where they need to be."

He added: "We've some very good younger athletes, where this is a magnificent opportunity for them in preparation for Gold Coast in 2018.

"Jake Wightman for example; its brilliant Jake has been able to grab a place on the team in a very difficult event, the 1500metres.

"He will do really well here and run up to form, but this also is a really good grounding for him ahead of 2018."

With the athletics facilities now complete at Hampden, all that is left is for the athletes to experience is competing there in front of a home crowd.

It's something Brazil's players experienced during the World Cup; they now know better than anyone how the atmosphere and pressure generated from a home sporting event can have both a positive and negative impact on home nation athletes.

Stephen Maguire is well aware that the crowd will play a factor when athletics events commence at Hampden.

"I think being honest with you there will be some people who handle it really well and step up, but there are others who will be a little bit frightened and some may not perform as well as they can do, but that's the reality of elite sport," he said.

"I think a big part of our job is to make sure that we can adequately support all that."

He added: "The message I would put out is that probably in these athletes' careers it's a one off opportunity.

"They are competing in Glasgow and in a Commonwealth Games in their home country and that's not going to happen again in their athletics careers.

"I think grasp it, grab the opportunity and really thrive off the intensity.

"Scottish people are absolutely crazy about sport and the support I have been given and the team has been given since I came into the country has been first class."

He also believes the Commonwealth Games will act as a catalyst for increased participation in athletics in Scotland.

"A home games traditionally starts off a real golden era," he said.

"I think Scottish Athletics are gearing themselves up for it and I know the clubs are being geared up.

"Scottish Athletics as a business is also being geared up to grab that legacy and push it on."

Asked whether he would have changed anything, during his time at Scottish Athletics, he replied: "Yeah you would always change something, but I'm happy enough and one of the big things is that we are very much a joined up sport now.

"From a coaching perspective, right from development straight through to performance, everybody knows where everybody's at.

"There are shared discussions, shared visions and shared philosophies of how we can help the clubs, the athletes and the coaches be the best that they can be."

He added: "I'm quite pleased we have started that but it's only just begun and we're a long way from where we need to.

"But we have good staff there and whoever comes into replace me, he or she has a very good job."