Imogen Bankier considers medal farewell after Glasgow 2014

“We’ve also got a really strong Scotland team, so I’m hoping for a good team performance and maybe we could get a team medal.”

So will the Commonwealth Games in her native Glasgow really be a final fling before hanging up her racquet?

“Yeah, it could be,” she said. “I don’t like to think of it like that, but yeah, it possibly may be.

“But, with only two years to go after that until the Rio Olympics, who knows?”

If Bankier does take a medal at Glasgow 2014, she’ll be the first Scot to do so since Susan Hughes (now Egelstaff) brought home a bronze from Melbourne six years ago.

The chief executive of Badminton Scotland, Anne Smillie, wants at least double that tally at a home Games.

“I would be disappointed if we don’t get two medals,” said Smillie.

“I’d be delighted with two; thrilled with three. Certainly, with the world-class facilities we have – and the athletes who’re playing exceedingly well building towards Glasgow2014 – two medals are certainly on the cards at the moment.”

Regardless of the 2014 medal count, Bankier is conscious just how big the upcoming Commonwealth Games will be for her city and her country.

“It’s huge,” suggested the badminton medal hopeful. “You saw how the nation was captivated by the London Olympics.

“I hope we can have the same thing here in Glasgow.

“We’ve got all these new facilities; we’ve got a terrific regeneration of Glasgow’s East End.

“It can only be a positive influence on the children coming up in the future and hopefully leave a legacy behind similar to London that will inspire a generation to be more involved in sport and that’s really what it’s all about, I think. “

Although Bankier herself won’t be playing, preparations are well under way for the Scottish International Badminton Championships, which begin on Wednesday.

The event takes place at the new Emirates Arena for the first time, away from its previous home at the Kelvin Hall, and has attracted top players from over 30 countries.