LAWRENCE CLARKE says he can hold his head up high despite failing to pick up a medal from the European Indoor Championships in Prague.

Clarke, from Bibury, had the added pressure of captaining the GB team in the Czech Republic, but he didn't let that show as he eased through his 60-metre hurdles heat in second place in 7.65sec.

However the semi final was a different story as the 24-year-old hit two hurdles and just squeezed into the final.

Although Clarke improved in the showpiece event, his time of 7.63 was only good enough for fifth place as France claimed a one-two-three, led by Pascal Martinot-Lagarde.

Despite missing out on the podium, Clarke, who won the British 60m hurdles title earlier in the season, believes there are still plenty of positives to take away from his Czech adventure.

"I've worked so hard for so many years to be a part of the team and to be honoured as captain is a great privilege," said Clarke, who just missed an Olympic medal at London 2012 when finishing fourth.

"I feel very lucky that Neil Black (British Athletics performance director) asked me to lead the team.

"I made a hash of my first two rounds but I've come back and run one of my quicker times of the season.

"For me this season has been about consistency and to run well again in a European Championship final, I couldn't really ask for much more.

"I've come off two years being quite far behind these French guys so to be able to be alongside them at all is great stuff for the outdoor season.

"We've got the Olympics 18 months away and that's my target because I'm better at the 110m hurdles.

"My start has always been a weakness and doing this indoor season has been great and I have gained a lot of confidence because if I can be there or thereabouts at hurdle five I can be there at hurdle 10."

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