A teenage boy is in hospital after a car careered into him in a deliberate hit-and-run.

The 14-year-old boy was walking down the street with a friend, aged 15, in Rutherglen, Lanarkshire, on Sunday when he was struck.

Detectives say they are treating the incident as attempted murder but told STV News it "could have easily been a double murder".

A Vauxhall Corsa drove past the two boy before turning round, mounting the pavement and ploughing into one of the youngsters on Fernhill Road at around 2.15pm.

The light green car then made off towards the Castlemilk area. The two teenagers managed to make their way home and police were called.

The teenager was taken by ambulance to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital where he remains in a stable condition. The other boy was not injured.

The car was found by officers shortly after the incident in Scarrel Gardens in Castlemilk.

Detective sergeant Martin McKendrick, from Cambuslang CID, said: "I would describe it a despicable. Two young boys, aged 15 and 15 walking home on a Sunday afternoon and they have been deliberately targeted and struck by this vehicle.

"I believe there was two persons within the vehicle: A male, quite small, short dark hair and sallow skinned.

"I don't have any motive at all for this. These are two quiet boys. They are not involved in any gang-related in the area. They are making their way home on a Sunday afternoon, they are two quiet boys who have never came to the attention of the police before.

"We could have been dealing with a double murder here very easily."

He added: "Thankfully the victim was not badly injured, but this was a deliberate and very dangerous act which could have had far more serious consequences and we need to trace those responsible immediately.

"I would appeal to anyone who was on Fernhill Road around the time of the incident and witnessed what happened to get in touch.

“I would also ask anyone living in the Castlemilk area near to where the vehicle was recovered who saw anything suspicious to contact police.

"Anyone with information can call officers via 101 or alternatively Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where details can be given in confidence."