THE Commonwealth Games are looking “likely” to return to Glasgow in 2026, according to SNP health secretary Neil Gray.

Mr Gray made the remarks on BBC Radio Scotland ahead of further talks between the Scottish government and Commonwealth Games Austrailia.

The 2026 event was due to be hosted in Victoria, but the Australian state withdrew over spiralling costs. 

Glasgow held the games in 2014 and has the necessary facilities to host the event in two years.

Mr Gray said: “I’m hopeful that we will be able to recognise that if we are to go ahead, this is a different games.”

Mr Gray said securing Australian cash, ensuring the Scottish government would not pick-up the multimillion-pound bill, was a “critical element” in negotiations.

He added: “I think we’re in a situation where it’s more likely now than when we entered these discussions that we’d be seeing the Commonwealth Games coming to Scotland.”