Dan Travers, Scotland’s High Performance Director, has an eye on the history books at next week’s European Championships in Liverpool.

The 1986 Commonwealth Games medallist has been working with the squad at the National Badminton Centre in Scotstoun  – and preparation is now almost over for the Group 8 matches against Wales, the Czech Republic and England.

The Group winners will progress to the quarter-finals, and England are firm favourites to grab the honours. But with a team of Susan Hughes, Imogen Bankier, Jillie Cooper, Andy Bowman, Kieran Merrilees and Watson Briggs, Travers is optimistic that a shock could be on the cards.

“We should beat Wales and the Czechs and we also have a chance against England,” said the coach. “Scotland has never beaten England and it was always one of my goals when I was a player. To do it as the coach would be the next best thing.”

Bankier, ranked No.7 in the world in mixed doubles, and Cooper, the Bank of Scotland International Champion in women’s doubles, have impressive credentials, while Hughes has recently overtaken rival Liz Cann as Britain’s No.1 in women’s singles. 

Merrilees is a fast-rising star in men’s singles, while the experienced Bowman and promising Briggs will be a strong force in the doubles.

Scotland play Wales on Tuesday, the Czech Republic on Wednesday and then England on Thursday.