Former world champion Iwan Thomas insists Martyn Rooney’s transition from promising junior to fully-fledged senior is still not complete – despite his medal-winning performance at the European Championships.

Rooney was left to rue what might have been in Barcelona as he was forced to settle for the bronze medal after a poor semi-final race left him with an unfavourable lane draw.

The 23-year-old was beaten by Belgian Kevin Borlee and Great Britain team mate Michael Bingham, but still picked up his first individual senior medal on the big stage after clocking 45.23 seconds.

Rooney burst onto the scene at the 2008 Beijing Olympics when he clocked a new personal best of 44.60 seconds in the semi-final before finishing sixth in the final inside the iconic Bird’s Nest Stadium.

But Thomas, who won world relay gold in Athens 1997, believes it’s high time the Croydon Harrier started to produce the goods on a regular basis.

“Martyn needs to make the next step now,” said Thomas, who won individual gold at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur.

“He’s got the talent to perform and it’s about time he showed that now.

“I’d like to see him run 44 consistently now and I think he is capable of that.

“He did well in Barcelona, getting a medal but it’s time to build on that now and show everyone what he’s about.”

Rooney ended his season prematurely last month when he pulled out of the Commonwealth Games in Delhi – joining an ever-growing list of absentees such has Jessica Ennis, Mo Farah and Jenny Meadows who will not travel to India.

But Thomas is confident Rooney will be at the top of his game come London 2012 in less than two years time and is in prime place to lead a GB medal haul.

“I think athletics is on the up at the moment – Barcelona was a superb champs for the Great Britain team and to get a record amount of medals was fantastic,” added Thomas, who competed in the Eurostar Tri-City-Athlon last week.

“Athletics are in a bit of a transition faze at the moment but there are some great athletes coming through and we’re looking good.

“I wish I was 15 years younger and still at the top of my game – this country is going to put on a fantastic Olympics and we have athletes who can really step up to the plate.”

Eurostar is the Official International Rail Services Provider to the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. Find out more about the world’s first ever Tri-City-Athlon or book tickets to travel on Eurostar by visiting eurostartricityathlon.com.