ROD Stewart is to perform at the opening ceremony of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, organisers have announced.

He will sing on the opening night of the Games at Celtic Park on July 23.

Joining him will be Scottish singers Susan Boyle and Amy MacDonald and violinist Nicola Benedetti.

Unconfirmed reports at the weekend suggested that Kylie Minogue would perform at the closing ceremony - partly to mark the event being handed to Australia. Glasgow 2014 chief executive David Grevemberg said: "We have always said that the opening ceremony will present Glasgow and Scotland to a global audience. But when we got to welcome an iconic talent like Rod Stewart it takes the excitement and anticipation for the opening ceremony to a whole new level."