Croydon Harriers Martyn Rooney is treating tonight’s 400m Commonwealth Games semi-final as if it was the final itself.

The 27-year-old topped his heat on Monday clocking 45.57 seconds – the third fastest overall – to guarantee his place in the semis.

And while he was pleased with his performance in the Hampden Park stadium, Rooney knows there are tougher times ahead.

He said: ““The heat went pretty well. It was my best race this year. I was a bit tense at the start, but I came off the bend really nicely and I felt good coming down the home straight.

“I feel could have run 44 high if I wanted to but I just wanted to see where I was and I did enough.

I'm fast at the minute and feel really good.”

He added: “But every race is a final for me at these championships. I haven't made a final for a long time so I've got to go out and just race and try and win every run.

“A medal will be tough, there's some strong competitors like Kirani James and a couple of guys running low 44.”