SALLY Gunnell has backed Eilidh Child to follow in her footsteps and reach the top of world athletics after an impressive 2009 campaign.

Kinross hurdler Child underlined her growing potential in the sport by reaching the 400m hurdle semi-finals at the World Championships in Berlin in August.

And Gunnell – who won 400m hurdle Olympic gold at Barcelona 1992 – insists the Scottish flyer can go all the way.

“It’s great to see athletes like Eilidh coming through and doing so well because the event was really quiet after I left it,” said Gunnell.

“I always thought and hoped that people had watched me during my career and wanted to do my event. Hopefully now those people are coming through.

“I have been watching Eilidh and she has been absolutely outstanding this year.”