COWDENBEATH boxer Ryan Reekie has set his sights on a medal when he steps into the ring at the Commonwealth Youth Games.

The 17-year-old, a five-time Scottish age group champion, admits that while he is feeling some nerves ahead of representing his country in the Bahamas, he believes he can channel it into a positive as he goes for gold in the 75kg category.

He is one of two local fighters – the other being Kelty's Craig Morgan – that are part of Team Scotland's nine-strong boxing squad and says he's ready to "put on a show".

A former member of the now defunct Kelty Boxing Club, Ryan moved to Jonesy’s Boxing Club, based in Plean, near Stirling, around five years ago and now boasts an impressive record on the international scene.

He represented Scotland in several 'duel' events in 2016, with wins over Wales and England, and carried that form on into this year, taking the Eastern District title and reaching the quarter-finals of the Pavlyukov Multi-Nation Tournament in Russia, where he put up a strong challenge against the reigning World Junior Champion and Russian number one.

Speaking to Times Sport before the squad departed for Nassau on Friday, he said: "I was at Kelty before it closed and I tried all the different clubs in Fife, but I didn't like them and went through to Stirling. The club I'm at now is, in my opinion, the best in Scotland - we've got nine Scottish champions and five British champions.

"I've come on a lot and have learned lots of different things. I've had quite a good year so far; at the tournament in Russia, I did well against the European number one, and then I came home and did well at the British.

"That helps a lot. You get to know the athletes at that level and learn things when you go in the ring against more experienced boxers, like the need to move your head more and move with speed.

"I'm looking forward to it and I hope I can go and do my best."

He added: "I'm excited but a bit nervous, although that can be a good thing. I've trained a lot harder and have fought against two of them, so I think I've got a good chance.

"There will be a lot of pride and even supporting members of the squad competing in other sports will be good. It's going to be different and I hope I can bring back a medal and put on a show."

His coach at Jonesy's, James Casey, is certain his man can go all the way.

He added: "Ryan's extremely talented. He's won the Scottish title every year and, in the past two years, he's started to come on to the international scene.

"Ryan could go to the Olympic Games, he's that good and, if he gets the right draw, he could get the gold medal. If anyone beats him then it'll be someone who's going to win it, but he can take anyone out with one punch.

"I think he'll win gold."