LABOUR members have ranked their party list candidates with mixed fortunes for serving MSP’s

The vote of members across the city put former deputy leader and ex-MP Anas Sarwar, at the top, making his return to elected politics all but guaranteed in May, one year after he lost his Westminster seat.

Former Party leader and Pollok MSP, Johann Lamont, is number two and James Kelly Rutherglen MSP, is third.

They are also odds on to return, with former Kelvin MSP, Pauline McNeill a possible to return after being voted in fourth place.

Some long serving MSPs have lost out in the contest and face their biggest political battle yet to keep their seats.

Paul Martin and Patricia Ferguson are the two most experienced Glasgow MSPs facing the prospect of exiting Holyrood.

Ms Ferguson, who has introduced several Bills in her time as an MSP since devolution in 1999 and served in Labour/LibDem coalition governments as well as being a deputy Presiding Office is in sixth place.

Another ever present Paul Martin, Provan MSP, is ninth, while current list MSPs Hanzala Malik and Anne McTaggart elected in 2011 are in the bottom two places and will cease to be MSPs when parliament is dissolved next month.

Ms Ferguson and Mr Martin could still remain as both are contesting their respective Maryhill and Springburn and Provan constituencies, but face the strongest challenge ever from the SNP.

Anas Sarwar was widely expected to top the list.

Mr Sarwar said: “I’m delighted to get the support and trust of the members of the Labour Party across Glasgow.

“The challenge now is to get Labour policies and principles across to the people of Scotland

“I am looking forward to campaigning with all the candidates. We owe it to Kezia Dugdale who has done a tremendous job leader to give her our full support and get Labour MSPs elected.

I’m a team player and I want Labour to win wherever we compete.

Of course I recognise it is a tough time for the Labour Party.”

Labour Scottish leader Kezia Dugdale, said: "Every candidate on the list and in constituencies across the country will be fighting for every single vote.

"We are in no doubt about the scale of the challenge we face, but Scottish Labour heads into the election in May full of confidence in our vision for Scotland."