SWIMMING star Michael Jamieson was nearly upstaged by the coolest haircut in town as the official Commonwealth Games countdown clock was switched on.

The Commonwealth and Olympic Games hero was at Glasgow Central Station to switch on the giant digital clock, which takes pride of place above the main destination board.

But he was momentarily distracted by 11-year-old Aaron McLaughlin - a P7 pupil at Sighthill's St Stephen's Primary School.

Aaron has the Glasgow 2014 logo shaved into the back of his head.

And the youngster admitted he was desperate to meet the Scottish swimming legend, who is a Glasgow 2014 Ambassador.

Aaron said: "I knew today was a big day and I wanted to show my support for the Games.

"And my favourite Commonwealth sport is swimming and Michael Jamieson is a swimming hero.

"I swim for a club Whitehill pool and I can't wait to see the swimming at the Games.

"I got my hair cut at the Turkish Barber in Saracen Street in Possil.

"It's where I always get my hair cut."

Aaron jumped at the chance to have his picture taken with Michael - and show off his snazzy 'do.

Michael said he loved his role as an ambassador, inspiring the next generation of Scottish athletes.

He said: "I see this as a huge responsibility of mine as an athlete, the part of the legacy where I pass on the baton, as it were.

"To see the kids so excited about sport is fantastic and there are all kinds of benefits when it comes to health and wellbeing.

"I have been at a few schools and a lot of the kids were wearing their bunnets and kilts and getting behind the Games."

The Countdown Clock, sponsored by Longines, was switched on by Michael and dignitaries, including Sports Minister Shona Robison, Glasgow City Council leader Gordon Matheson and Glasgow 2014 chief executive officer David Grevemberg.

The clock will be seen by thousands of commuters and visitors in the run-up to the Games in July.

Yesterday's clock switch on, to mark 135 days until the start of the Games, was part of the Commonwealth Day celebrations, which encouraged people to wear trainers to show their support for Glasgow 2014.

The pupils of St Stephen's were in fine voice during the 10- second countdown and all sported their trainers for the special occasion.

Lul Husein, 11, said: "It's not every day you get to meet someone like Michael Jamieson. It was really good fun."

Kevin Amanuel, also 11, said: "Michael is really cool."

stef.lach@ heraldandtimes.co.uk