An elderly man was stabbed to death after his killer went on a robbing spree through Glasgow city centre.

Detectives launched a murder investigation after John Baker, 76, was found stabbed just yards from his home in the east end of Glasgow in the early hours of Tuesday.

Mr Baker was walking along Stevenson Street near Abercromby Street in Bridgeton at around 12.25am when he was stabbed by a man who had just robbed him.

He collapsed in the street where three members of the public came to his aid and called police and an ambulance. He was taken to the Glasgow Royal Infirmary, where he died a short time later.

The knife killer targeted two women in the previous two hours, robbing one of her bag and threatening another one with his blade, but she managed to run away with all of her possessions.

The first woman, aged 25, was targeted just outside Glasgow Central station at 10.35pm and the killer made off with her handbag.

Around 90 minutes later the man demanded a 53-year-old woman hand over her bag but she refused and ran away. He then went on to target the elderly man before stabbing him to death.

Police have branded him a "coward" who "doesn't seem to care who he attacks" and have launched a major manhunt.

Detective superintendent Duncan Sloan, of the Major Investigation Teams, said: "We believe that the initial motive of this attack was robbery, however, for whatever reason, it escalated into the elderly man being stabbed.

"Following enquiries, we now know that the same man is responsible for the murder, a robbery and an attempted robbery involving two women in Glasgow city centre late last night; just before the murder.

"The first was outside Central Station in Gordon Street, Glasgow, around 10.35pm, where a 25-year-old woman was robbed of her handbag by the man who was brandishing a knife. She was not injured during the incident.

"On this occasion the suspect was chased by two men down Hope St towards the Heilanman's Umbrella and east on to Argyle Street but he managed to get away down into Jamaica Street.

"We have already spoken to one of the men but I am still keen to speak to the second man who tried to catch the suspect as he may have information that will help our enquiry.

"The second incident was an attempted robbery around 11.55pm in the Trongate, near to Albion Street.

"The suspect threatened a 53-year-old-woman standing alone at the bus stop, with a knife demanding her handbag.

"She pushed him away and he ran off east along the Trongate towards the Barras.

"This man doesn't seem to care who he attacks. He is a dangerous individual who is in essence a coward preying on an elderly man and women and it is imperative that we catch him as soon as possible.

"He is described as white, in his mid 20s to 30s, of medium build, 5ft 5in to 5 ft 10in tall, clean shaven, with a scar on his face. He was wearing dark trainers that had a distinctive bright white chunky sole, a light baseball cap, grey hooded top and dark coloured jeans.

"Officers are checking CCTV and making enquiries in the area including liaising with colleagues in British Transport Police, Central Station, where the first attack happened.

"It is entirely possible that there may have been others that the man approached or threatened either in the city centre or east end prior to the murder.

"If you were a victim or have any information that will assist with our enquiries, then please call the Incident Room at Govan Police Office on 0141 5326723 or via 101. Details can also be passed in confidence to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

"Additional police patrols are in the area and anyone with concerns or information can speak to them."