The 16-year-old victim was waiting for a taxi outside 174—190 Faifley Road along with two pals at around 4am on Saturday when he was approached by a partially masked man who started speaking to them.

The thug then slashed the teenager in the face before casually walking away.

The boys took a cab to the Western Infirmary and the victim was then transferred to the Southern General Hospital where he received a number of stitches to the wound.

Detective Constable Clare Moran, of Clydebank CID, has now urged anyone with any information to come forward.

She said: “This was a horrific attack on a young boy which has left him with permanent facial scarring. From what we believe, it was completely unprovoked, neither the victim nor his friends knew the assailant. I am appalled that someone would do this then casually walk off.

“It is important that we trace this individual and I would appeal to anyone who was in the area or recognises the distinct description to come forward.” The suspect is described as white, around 30-years-old, of stocky build and approximately 6ft tall.

He was wearing a dark coloured Stone Island hooded jacket and had a Rangers scarf around his face.

Elsewhere, detectives are also hunting the thugs responsible for attacking a man with weapons as he lay on the ground outside St Stephen’s Chapel in Park Road, Dalmuir, at around 6.10am on Sunday morning.

The suspects then got into a small silver or light grey coloured car, thought to have been driven by another person, and took off towards Stevenson Street and Duntocher Road.

The 19-year-old victim made his way to Dalmuir train station and an ambulance was called.

He was then rushed to the Western Infirmary where he received treatment for injuries to his head and face and as well as a serious injury to his hand.

Detective Constable Chris Norton, of Clydebank CID, said: “We have not yet been able to get a full statement from the victim to establish if he knew the motive for this senseless attack. Although it was relatively early in the morning, I would urge anyone who heard the disturbance or witnessed this crime to come forward.

“I would also ask anyone who saw the silver or grey coloured car in the area or has any information which may lead to identifying those involved to speak to police.” The suspects are both white and in their late teens or early twenties.

One is described as being of lean build, about 5ft 10 and was wearing dark clothing.

The other man was approximately 5ft 8, of stocky build, and was wearing a white or grey coloured t-shirt.

Anyone with any information about either incident has now being urged to telephone Clydebank CID by dialling the non emergency telephone number 101.

Alternatively, residents can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where anonymity can be maintained.