Nicola Sturgeon has urged Glasgow residents to keep the city "on the global stage" by voting to remain in the EU.

The First Minister arrived at her Baillieston polling station around 9am today, and said she was feeling "optimistic" about what was to come following the European Union referendum in vote.

The Herald:

She said: "I have just voted to remain as part of the EU, I've done so with my head and with my heart.

Read more: Nicola Sturgeon: Remaining in EU far outweighs the supposed benefits of leaving

"It helps protect our freedom to travel across the EU but more important than all of that, it protects our place in the world.

"Glasgow is a great city that benefits a lot from EU funding, social funding. It's a city that is home to many European nationals and people from Glasgow travel to many European countries.

The Herald:

"Glasgow has always been a city that saw itself on the global stage, and that is how a remain vote will ensure we stay in the future."

Read more: EU referendum outcome 'too close to call' as opinion polls place Remain and Leave neck and neck

Joined by husband Peter Murrell, the SNP Chief Executive, Nicola chatted to voters as they arrived at the polling station before heading back to her home nearby.

David MacDonald, a 43-year-old electrical engineer from Baillieston shared the same view as the First Minister and voted to remain in The EU.

He said: " I feel great this morning, I'm going. On holiday in a few hours so have squeezed my vote in before getting to the airport.

"I wasn't sure how to vote even walking down the road. I don't really like either side to be honest, with Boris and Farage on one side and the SNP on the other."

For David, the issue of immigration was the most important one in his decision, and he said there are still unanswered questions surrounding its control as part of the EU.

"I think immigration is a big issue, that's the biggest issue for people down south particularly. I still don't see how we control that within the EU, and that's my only issue but an exit has more question marks than anything else.

"I don't think the debates have been too complex, the details have all been there but it's really one side's spin versus another sode's spin. 

"It's the usual boring politics than anything else."

Derek Toal, 59, also from Baillieston said he voted to leave for financial reasons. 

He said "I voted to leave based on the monetary aspects. What we contribute and what we get back. We are one of ten countries and we pay in more than we get out.

"The fact that the remain campaign said that the MEPs look after our interests in Europe, and I'm also thinking why then do we need all these people at Westminster and the House of Lords. 

"should there be a reduction across all the assemblies in Scotland, Wales and Nothern Ireland too?

"When you look at a company and all the tiers of management, it's the same thing. There's too many."

Sarah Bell, 28, a teacher from Mount Vernon, was still undecided as she headed to her polling station.

She said: "I'm still unsure of what to vote.

"I think I'll just know when I'm in there.

"There are a lot of reasons that make me want to remain - travel, trade, being part of the European community - but it is a lot of money to pay for membership and the issue of immigration still worries me."