THOSE who insist you should never meet your heroes clearly don’t idolise Richard Whitehead.

When Ross Paterson lines up at this week’s European para-athletics championships – looking to improve on the silver medal he earned in Berlin three years ago – he will do so with the advice of his friend and rival ringing in his ears.

Whitehead is a double Paralympic champion still competing at the age of 44 but has always found time to lend support to those making their way up through the ranks.

That means the world to Paterson who got his photo taken with Whitehead as a 14 year-old and who at the age of 22 has his sights set on becoming T38 European champion in both the 100m and 400m in Poland.

“I was at a race recently with Richard Whitehead who’s a double Paralympic gold medallist,” revealed the Paisley athlete.

“He was my idol and I got a picture with him when I was 14. To be on the same team with him in Berlin three years ago and now here in Poland is incredible.

“He’s such an inspiration to me and so kind. He was speaking to me before my race at Gateshead recently and asking how I was. He’s such a leader and sets a real example on and off the track.

“We were a big team in Berlin, there were 51 of us and all spread out. But he stayed to watch my race and we got the bus back to the hotel together.

“And he sat and spoke to me for at least 45 minutes, congratulating me and saying that was just the start of my journey.

“He just spoke to me all about his experiences and hoped I might be able to learn from him. And that was amazing. He’s a good guy.

“I was telling him about St Mirren as well. And he said, “who?!” so I told him to look it up. He’s a big Spurs fan so hopefully he’ll pick us as his Scottish team.”

After such a disrupted year, Paterson doesn’t want to place too much expectation on his shoulders but hopes his best performance could yet see him top the podium.

“I got a wee taste of it at the recent Diamond League event, putting on my GB vest,” added the Red Star athlete who also trains with the esteemed Kilbarchan AC. “It just felt right.

“I’m really looking forward to competing again but it’s going to be a tough event. There are a few athletes who have been reclassified as T38 so it’s going to be difficult. But I’m up for it.

“I’m just hoping for the best. I’m going out there with an open mind and will look to run as fast as I can. I’d love to get the gold but it’s a tough class and we’ll need to see what happens on the day.

“Getting the silver medal in Berlin on my GB debut was unbelievable. But I want more now so bring it on.

“This is my biggest event of the year by far. I’ve been training a year and a half for this as it was meant to be going ahead last year.

“With new people coming into my category I wasn’t sure if I was going to get selected so that was a massive confidence boost. The GB selectors said they saw the fight in me to have medal potential and that was great to hear.”

Paterson is one of seven Scots competing in Bydgoszcz this week under tighter than normal parameters that mean his mum and dad will be watching at home on the Channel 4 stream rather than in the stadium with him.

“It’s a lot different under Covid restrictions as you’re spending a lot more time in your hotel room. But I wouldn’t want to risk anything so that’s fine by me.

“I’m quite chilled on trips anyway. One of the GB coaches said he couldn’t believe how laid back I am most of the time.

“When it’s race time I don’t like to get sucked into conversations. I just don’t want to get sidetracked ahead of a race. I need to stay in the zone.

“Once I’ve got the shades on there’s no going back. It’s just full focus and ready to go.”