Callum Hawkins gave himself the perfect boost in his bid to go to this year’s Olympics in Rio by blazing a trail for team leader Mo Farah at the Great Edinburgh Cross Country on Saturday.

The Kilbarchan Athletics Club runner took on the early pace-setting as the British men powered their team to overall victory on the day over the USA and Europe and after finishing in fourth place he was satisfied with his efforts.

“They were all on my shoulder. That gave me confidence that I was doing a decent pace and making them all work,” he said.

“I think it shows how I’ve progressed from last year. We changed our approach a bit. I wasn’t sure if it would be effective but it’s evident it has worked and I’m in good shape.”

The 23-year-old who is coached by his father Robert and whose brother Derek was also a member of Scotland’s Commonwealth Games team, had not targeted getting out in front of Farah and eventual race winner Garrett Heath, who was claiming his third successive victory at this meet.

However his decision to hit the front was a clear indicator of his growing confidence in his own judgement, even when in such vaunted company.

"I didn’t really have a plan, but I wanted to go a bit quicker after the first lap was so slow,” he explained.

“There were too many bodies and I just wanted to go away from that.

“It’s what I’ve been working on over the past six months: going hard and holding it.”

Compatriot Andrew Butchart, from Central Athletics Club, also performed well, finishing seventh, while Laura Muir, who is set to be Rio-bound this summer helped Scotland claim the inaugural Stewart Cup, named in tribute to 1970 Commonwealth Games heroes Ian and Lachie, as they beat Great Britain and Northern Ireland in the women’s 4K relay race.

“It’s started off as well as possible,” she said of this first outing of 2016.

“I can build on it race by race with Rio being the target in the summer.

“This wasn’t too serious. It was about enjoying it because I don’t get to compete much in Scotland.

“The team did a great job. They were already first and I’m glad I continued it on the last leg.”