Is Glasgow ready for the Commonwealth Games - and does the city care?

At the conclusion of the 2014 Commonwealth Games, Glasgow's then council leader Gordon Matheson was in no doubt how successful the event had been.

"Not only has Glasgow and her citizens completely embraced the Games, but we have demonstrated our credentials as a world-class city," he declared.

As the city prepares to welcome the Games back, the vibe is not nearly as bright or positive.

Glasgow will welcome athletes against a backdrop of roadworks, refurbishments and the remains of a building ravaged by fire sitting next to the city's largest train station - but organisers are keen to stress the city is ready.

Glasgow was parachuted in to host the Games after the Australian state of Victoria dropped out, and was partly picked because so much infrastructure was already in place.

The 2026 Games have been pared back compared to previous editions, with 10 sports rather than the 17 it featured in 2014.

Yet hosting the event is still a large undertaking for any city - especially at short notice.

About 3,000 athletes will compete for 215 gold medals across the 10-day event.

And away from the action, thousands will be involved behind the scenes, including scores of volunteers.

They have already started checking in at the Glasgow Caledonian University campus which is doubling as the registration centre for the Games.

An estimated 20,000 people expected to collect accreditation passes before the Games ends on 2 August.

They include Niamh Mackenzie, a 19-year-old psychology student who is already working shifts for the Games.

She said the summer had been dominated by the Tartan Army bringing the "No Scotland No Party" atmosphere to the World Cup in the US.

"It's quite exciting to have that atmosphere locally," she said.

"Hopefully we give a good experience to everyone that's coming over for it."

Niamh has relatives who volunteered in 2014, which is part of the reason she signed up this time around.

The impact of that competition also inspired Daniel Bustillos-Arell, an American native who has lived in Scotland for the past 11 years.

He previously volunteered at the 2023 UCI cycling championships.

Bustillos-Arell said: "All I've heard about since I moved to Scotland was the 2014 Games.

"People talk about what a great experience it was, and how much they enjoyed it."

While 2014 may have prompted some people to sign up for the Games, it also looms over 2026.

It brought various new sporting venues to the city, saw packed fanzones in places like Glasgow Green, and was hailed afterwards as possibly the best Games ever.

Susan Egelstaff competed in badminton at three Commonwealth Games for Scotland, and is now a journalist with the Herald.

She feels 2026 faces a hard task to create a similar sense of anticipation.

"The organisers have been going uphill, because there's been a World Cup on with Scotland taking part, and that takes all the headlines," she says.

"There isn't anything like the same buzz as 2014 - although I'd say it's more apathy than people being actually negative about the Games coming back.

"It is not going to take over Glasgow like 2014 did, and even though they say public money isn't being used, there is maybe a feeling there are more important things in the city needing attention than the Commonwealth Games."

With Glasgow taking the Games at short notice, organisers were left with months rather than several years to prepare.

This also means that redevelopment work in the city is ongoing, rather than being tailored to conclude in time for the event.

The city's Avenues programme is described by the local authority as the biggest transformation of city centre thoroughfares since Buchanan Street was pedestrianised back in the 1970s, adding greenery and cycle lanes throughout the city.

But, as a result, roads and streets need to be dug up.

Standing on Argyle Street, where work is currently taking place, we asked one passer-by for his thoughts on the Games. He replied: "It's good they're back but Glasgow is a mess!"

The man hurries off to do his shopping, soundtracked by pneumatic drills and ripped up concrete - noises many Glaswegians are currently very familiar with.

Glasgow has other aspects in flux right now too. Work on George Square is still continuing, meaning this city landmark remains boarded up.

The devastating fire that swept through part of Union Street in March also means a building site sits next to Central Station, although both the street and the station will be fully re-opened in time for the Games.

That does not mean locals aren't going to welcome the Games - but many people who spoke to us hope the multi-sports event can result in improvements to the overall city.

"I quite fancy going to some of the athletics to cheer on the Scottish athletes," says Steven Foster, who stays near Scotstoun Stadium, which will host the athletics.

"It's a good thing for Glasgow having it back, as long as we can afford it all.

"Hopefully it gives the council a gee-up to get the city centre tidier and get some of the potholes fixed in time for it too."

Parisa Badpayyekta works in a fish and chip shop in the Scotstoun area, and recalled a boost in customers back in 2014.

She said: "Hopefully more people coming in will help the economy.

"We had lots of different people from around the world coming in, sometimes for their first ever chippy, and that was a good cultural interaction.

"It isn't just about the sport part."

Work is well under way, although those hoping for dramatic changes across the city may be disappointed.

Near the Hydro a man sits on a scorching day giving nearby railings a fresh coat of paint.

There's a more visible upgrade next to the nearby Clydeside Expressway, where several of the murals which line one of the city's busiest roads have been repainted to celebrate Scottish sporting legends.

At Shettleston Bowling club in the east end of the city, opinions are split.

Club president Adam Marchbank said: "I just don't think the city is ready for it.

"I think the state of Glasgow city centre is a disgrace right now isn't it?

"I mean that's my personal opinion. Perhaps a lot of people don't agree with me but I don't think Glasgow is ready for it."

But Martin Gray disagrees and says the Games is a good thing.

"After the Tartan Army's exploits in America you get to see one of our major cities represented to the world again."

Cynicism ahead of the Games is not a new thing, though.

In 2014 organisers had to make a swift U-turn over a bizarre plan to blow up the famous Red Road flats as part of the opening ceremony.

There were also rows over the cost of the Games, and debates on whether enough big names would appear.

Then the sport started, and many concerns vanished over a fortnight of high quality competition and mostly good weather.

Phil Batty, the chief executive of Glasgow 2026, recently told BBC Scotland News he expects something similar this time.

Tickets are still widely available for most sessions, with some claims that prices are too high.

But Batty says anticipation is building, adding: "It isn't until the first medal is won that people will really clock on to the competition."

Batty says his team is embracing the task of hosting a challenging games in a changing city.

"Glasgow is an incredibly experienced major event city and when we needed someone to step in and host the games, there was no other place in the Commonwealth that could do this.

"But what we've basically done is invited ourselves to someone else's house to put on an incredible games when they were having a makeover, and that's something to be celebrated."

Glasgow City Council said people were perhaps used to an event model where a city bids to host a Games and the local authority plays a leading role in organising it.

A spokesman added: "That isn't what is happening in 2026.

"For these Games, the organisers decided Glasgow gave them the best chance of success and approached the city about the use of its venues - and they did so in full knowledge that there would be significant development work ongoing in the city, including George Square, during the event.

"We are confident the organisers will deliver a memorable Games and that Glasgow's venues and people will play a part in supporting that success."

Meanwhile, Egelstaff fears the Games not being live on free to air TV will have an effect.

"There was some negativity before 2014 and that dissipated, but I think that's almost impossible this time.

"It's all on subscription TV so you aren't going to come across it by chance.

"When you're not able to do that, it can pass you by completely."

Success might not just be measured in the short-term, though.

Back at Scotstoun, work is ongoing to transform the home of the Glasgow Warriors rugby team into a showpiece athletics venue.

Having a look through the fencing while heading to the nearby gym are Liffy MacIntosh and her six-year-old son Harvey.

Her enthusiasm for the upcoming sports is not just about watching, but in the effect it might have on her boy.

"I think it'll be fabulous for the city, it shows what Glasgow has to offer," she says.

"My son swims at Tollcross and it's a chance to show him what he can maybe be if he works hard - I think it's good having it back."

At the Kynoch Boxing Gym in Kinning Park, loud music mixes with the sound of heavy punches on pads.

Justice Abba, Scotland's number one in the super heavyweight class, is beating a punchbag into submission.

Abba just missed out on selection for these Games but is planning to be there, ringside, supporting his friends and teammates.

He said: "I've lived in the city my whole life and when it comes to the Commonwealth Games, it's massive.

"People are going to come in from everywhere and it's going to bring a bright thing to the city."