Tears and sleepless nights as Marshall and Adlington get Scotland flag honour

There's not much bowler Alex Marshall hasn't experienced in his seven previous Commonwealth Games appearances.

Seven medals, five of them gold. A lifetime of memories. And a gesture that will long hold a place in Scottish sporting folklore.

But while his iconic 'get it up ye' celebration at the end of an epic pairs semi-final with England in 2014 has since been his favourite Games memory, it will be supplanted on Thursday when he carries the Saltire at the opening ceremony.

Perhaps surprisingly, 'Tattie' has only ever hoisted the standard and led the Scotland team in a closing ceremony - last time the Games were in Glasgow 12 years ago.

He has never had the honour of being the opening flagbearer until his Team Scotland colleagues voted that he and judoka Sarah Adlington should share the honour at The Hydro this time around.

It just adds to what will be an especially special Games for Marshall, who is joined in the bowls team by his niece Beth Riva.

"It's a bit nerve-wracking really," 59-year-old Marshall told BBC Scotland. "It's not very often I get a bit emotional, but I certainly had a tear in my eye when I came out the lift this morning and all the athletes were there. It's just a huge honour."

Resplendent in full kilt on a sweltering day, and proprietorially clutching the flagstick like a child would a favourite toy, the East Lothian bowler was in his element when talking about the news on Wednesday.

Marshall conceded he would have to let it go for the evening before having it returned before the big show.

But he might have to battle with Adlington for first shot of it when that time comes. "And I'd win that fight," joked the 39-year-old heavyweight.

Adlington, who won judo gold in 2014 and 2022 and is looking to end her career by completing the treble, revealed the two of them have known the news for a few weeks but had been sworn to secrecy.

"That's been really hard," she told BBC Sport Scotland. "I was told I could tell my nearest and dearest but for everyone else it will be a massive surprise.

"I'm just so excited. I was so nervous when I woke up this morning, and I think I'll be even more nervous tomorrow. I might not even sleep tonight but if it's even half as good as it was in 2014, it will be amazing."