A Partick Thistle fan is "ready and proud" to step into the shoes of the club's spiky mascot Kingsley.

Craig Dunstable, 38, a lifelong Jags fan from Maryhill, was snapped up as the transfer window closed to step into the suit of the "mono-browed beacon of sunshine" for the upcoming season.

The father-of-four and full-time architect will begin his mascot duties on Saturday when Thistle take on St Johnstone at Firhill.

Mr Dunstable said: "I am absolutely blown away that I will now be donning the Kingsley suit during matches at Firhill.

"I've had a lifelong love of Thistle thanks to my late grandfather, Bill. As a boy, on Saturday afternoons while my mum and dad were at work, I'd go to the games with my granpa.

"We'd take a game in every week come rain or shine. It was from this point that I fell in love with the team and always wanted to be involved in some way.

"I didn't expect that I would one day be representing the club as the famous Kingsley and it's a role I'm ready and proud to take on."

Kingsley, designed by Glasgow artist David Shrigley, grabbed headlines across the world on his unveiling in June 2015.

When Jay McGhee, who wore the costume previously, stood down at the end of last season a search was launched to find his replacement.

The job advertisement said employee benefits of the role included receiving a 2016/17 club season ticket, opportunities to travel the country and meeting celebrities such as David Hasselhoff and Rachel Riley.

Ian Maxwell, Partick Thistle managing director, said: "Craig had that extra edge to him and he stood out from an early stage - I can't wait to see him on Saturday at the game.

"He has bags of enthusiasm and, as a lifelong Jags fan, knows the importance of becoming the face of the club and ensuring an electric atmosphere at every game."