James Arthur stopped off in Glasgow to play some football as his solo UK continues.

The X Factor 2012 winner is due to perform at the Clyde Auditorium tonight (January 10) but he took some time out of his busy schedule to train with Scottish football giants Rangers.

He is a self-confessed fan of the team and the ties run through his family - his father is particularly big on the Bears, who are Scotland's most successful club.

Arthur was pictured playing piggy-in-the-middle with the club's players and manager Ally McCoist.

Speaking to the official Rangers website, Arthur commented: "It was really good fun training with the squad and it was great to come and meet everyone. Since I was a bairn my dad has been a diehard Rangers fan and he has brought me up watching McCoist, Hateley, Laudrup and Gazza. I remember watching the Eight in a Row video with my dad and he’s got all the merchandise and memorabilia.

“I’m a Middlesbrough fan first and foremost but Rangers are very close to my heart too and this was a dream for me today although it was maybe a bigger day for my dad. Lee invited me up when I was on X Factor and he has been really hospitable with my family. He has been great. Sadly I’ve got to go to Liverpool tomorrow so I won’t make it along to the game although my dad will be going. I think the lads are going to win. We could never really afford to come to games when I was younger but I’ll be back up for a match another time.”

After his Glasgow date, Arthur will then perform in Liverpool on Saturday night (January 11).