Josh Kerr warns bitter track rival that the 'time for talking is over' in 1500m Olympic final showdown

Josh Kerr says it’s time for the talking to be done on the track as he predicted a “vicious” 1500m final battle with Jacob Ingabrigtsen on Tuesday night.

The fierce rivals crossed the line just a split second apart on semi final Sunday at the Stade de France with Kerr choosing to stay on the Norwegian’s shoulder. But the world champion says he’ll be emptying the tank to edge home in front of his arch enemy when it matters and put two years of trash talking to bed.

Neil Gourley ensured two Scots will line up in the final after coming third in his semi. And when he was asked what the world should expect, Kerr said: “They should just be expecting one of the most vicious and hardest 1500m this sport has seen in a very long time. I’m ready to go after it. We all are. There’s been a lot of talk and words over the last 12 months. Even two years.

“I’m looking to settle that on Tuesday and give it my best performance. It’s the big thing. I’m here, it’s my fifth major championship final in a row.

“I don’t miss these because I’m good at what I do. I’m going to show that myself.”

Kerr was a bronze medal winner when Ingabrigtsen grabbed gold in Tokyo. But the Edinburgh runner insists he’s been picturing himself on top of the podium since he started running.

He said: “I’ve been picturing that my whole life. It’s going to be another day in the office for me.

“I’m looking to put on a performance on front of millions of people that bring the crowds continuously year on year. We give our sport the nest crowd experiences we can. That’s my job.

“Jakob is going to try and win. I’m going to try and win. And we will see who wins.”

Kerr crossed the line in 3.32.46 - 0.08s behind Ingabrigtsen. And minutes later Gourley joined them in the final