THE downside of success, as Kirsty Gilmour has discovered in recent weeks, is that it can often lead to greater expectations. Scotland’s leading badminton talent is approaching her homecoming at this week’s Scottish Open – that starts at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow today – with a typically measured outlook that reflects her status as the tournament’s No.3 seed.

Her supporters and well-wishers, however, note her breakthrough at last year’s event and immediately assume a raft of wins will duly follow. Gilmour isn’t ruling out a successful title defence but warned it will be far from straightforward given the packed and competitive field.

“It’s really nice to have that Scottish Open win finally under my belt as it had been so many years in coming,” she said. “But now people might take it for granted that I’m just going to win it again. I never try to look too far ahead at any tournament and this time it’s more about making sure others aren’t looking too far ahead either. I’m going into this as third seed so it’s just about aligning expectations in line

with that.

“That’s not to say I can’t win it again, as I absolutely can, but every year is different that you just never know. But it does feel a little bit like a burden has been lifted with last year’s win, and now that I’ve won it once I’d love to win it all the time.”

The challenges of a career spent largely on the road make Gilmour

all the more grateful for the chance to return home once in a while. That it

is at a venue where she also won Commonwealth silver in 2014 makes it even more special.

“It’s always such a nice feeling around Scottish Open week. Everyone is so positive and there are always faces around that I’ve not seen for so many years. In the first few days when everyone is involved in the early rounds it’s always a great feeling. It’s one of my favourite events.

“Having family and friends come to watch me is a big part of it, too. People keep asking when I’m going to be playing so they can book a half-day off work and they don’t seem to believe me when I say I don’t know yet! But it’s great being back in Glasgow, especially at the Emirates Arena where I’ve got so many good memories.”

The 25-year-old admits her form in 2018 has been “up and down” but knows she has the talent to beat the very best on her day.

“I feel like I’ve not quite grasped as much consistency as I would have liked. It’s been a mixed bag but that helps align my expectations for this week. I’ll go in quite measured and not expect the world of myself.

I’m going to have to be on my toes

all week if I’m going to do well; if I put

in my A game there’s nobody in the world I can’t beat.”

A win over England’s Georgina Bland in the first round would bring up a career landmark. “It would be quite special to get my 300th career win in Glasgow if I could,” she added.

“I know Georgina quite well and we faced each other in the juniors a few times but not for a while. But I will

be looking to get that 300th win and

it will be nice if I could do it in the Emirates.”

With a number of compatriots also involved, Gilmour hopes she’ll have some company as the tournament progresses.

“Everyone is raising the bar standard-wise so I hope it’s a good week for all the Scottish players. It can get a bit lonely in the latter stages if it’s just me there . . . assuming I even make it that far.”