Family members have hit out at a group of thugs after an attack on two schoolboys who were walking home left the pair in hospital. 

One boy is said to have been treated for a broken nose and fractured cheekbone while another sustained damage to his eye just before 5pm on Wednesday evening. 

The two boys were walking across the Gallowgate Bridge in the city's east end when they were set upon by a group of attackers who assaulted and then robbed them at knifepoint. 

The thieves are said to have taken phones off of the pair before beating them to the ground and making off towards Reidvale Street. 

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Parents and family members of the teenagers have spoken out about the callous attack, which saw the pair rushed to hospital. 

They have appealed to the public for any help or information on the attack, adding they are thankful that the knives used to rob them were used only to threaten. 

One of the boys' mothers said: "(It is) horrendous what happened to them but thankful that the knives used to threaten and rob them weren't used.

"(I am) sickened that even though the boys had the sense to hand their phones over the attackers felt the need to get them on the ground and punch and kick into their heads. 

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"I hope nothing like this happens again."

A sister of one of the victim's posted on Facebook: "I feel absolutely sick to my stomach about what happened today. 

"Please please please be careful when coming home from or going to school this way, horrified that this has happened, especially to two young boys just trying to get home from school."

After the attack the boys are said to have returned to school where the police were alerted. 

Other members of the community have hit out at the attackers, calling them "scumbags" for targetting two teenagers walking home from school. 

Police were called to the incident at around 4.40pm on Wednesday after reports of a robbery on nearby Slatefield Street, with officers confirming that they are making enquiries into the attack.