A SCHOOLGIRL "fought for her life" during a brutal sex attack in a park.

The 13-year-old was pounced on from behind and dragged to the ground before being raped as she walked home after an evening out with friends.

Detectives are now appealing for witnesses to the assault, which has left the teenager "traumatised and terrified".

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Livingston said: "Because of the horrific nature of this attack and because the girl was so traumatised and terrified it has taken several weeks for her to come forward and tell us about the attack."

The victim had been out with friends on Thursday, June 6 and was making her way home along Greenlees Road in Cambuslang.

At around 9pm she cut into Cambuslang Park, known locally as Greenlees Park, where a man, who she believes had been walking behind her, pulled her to the ground and raped her.

DCI Livingston added: "The girl was fighting for her life and managed to struggle back so she may have scratched the man.

"If anyone remembers seeing someone with fresh injuries to their face then please let us know.

"We are hoping regular park users may have seen something, .

"To jog peoples' memories, it was the night before Scotland played Croatia."

Police are particularly keen to speak to a group of youths who were hanging around high rise flats on Cruachan Road that evening.

The attacker is described as white and aged 40 to 50, with a local accent, more than 6ft tall and very skinny with a large nose and short dark, greying hair.

He was wearing a grey T-shirt and blue jeans.

Anyone with any information should call police on 0141 207 4129 or call 101.

catriona.stewart@ eveningtimes.co.uk