LEGENDARY Troon bowler Paul Foster admits nothing can quite top the euphoria of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

But he set off on the marathon 9,500-mile journey to the Gold Coast on Friday optimistic of celebrating more successes on the lightning fast greens of Australia's east coast.

While he will be sad not to have his family watching him as they did four years ago they will be keeping a close eye on the live TV broadcasts from the 2018 Games.

He said: "It was great to have them there last time and some of the guys are bringing their families out but their children are older - it's just too far to come. and you have to take them out of school. My wife Pamela and the children, Logan, Ethan, Keegan and Imara will be watching on TV, quite a few of the games will be on at 8am which gives them a chance to watch."

Paul won a pairs medal with Marshall in Melbourne, Australia in 2006 and followed that by teaming up with him again four years ago to regain the pairs and also won the fours.

He goes into the game in great form, having won the British Isles singles and pairs titles at the British Isles Indoor Championships in Paisley earlier this month and can't wait for the action to start on Thursday, April 5.

"I was pleased with how I played and it was good winning two British titles at the same time. The greens will be quite fast - they will draw in 16 seconds, indoors it's 15.5 but we can cope with that. In 2006 I wasn't considered favourite to win a medal because most of my success has been indoors . But since then I have had a lot of success.

"We go in as defending champions and are one or the favourites but are not considered out and out favourites because you have to look as your southern hemisphere teams, the Australians will be hard to beat and so will New Zealand, but if we play how we can we will always have a chance. Our aim is to medal and hopefully it will be the right colour.

"I look forward to teaming up with Alex (Tattie) Marshall again - we know each other's game inside out. Like me is still hungry for success and thrives in the big events. We are best pals, I bring out the best in him and vice-versa. Ronnie Duncan and Derek Oliver play with us in the fours. Ronnie Duncan played in the World Championships New Zealand with us two years ago when we got bronze in the fours and pairs and Derek is a really good player.

"Nothing will ever beat Glasgow when you have your family there and the crowds behind you. We had out turn four years ago, now it's their turn. They will be behind their country and that's understandable.

"We don't worry about what they do but what we do. Alex has four gold medals which is the same as Allan Wells and I have three so it would be good if we did well again."

Paul and Alex have also been nominated along with two others to be joint flag bearers.

"Hopefully we will be selected, there couldn't be a bigger honour although Eillidh Child will be favourite as it could be he her last Games but even if we're not selected will be right at the front of the parade and Scotland will come out last," he added.