McAllister is the current WBU lightweight champion

Lee McAllister hopes that teaming up with Glasgow boxing promoter Tommy Gilmour will help him fulfil his potential on the world stage.

The 26-year-old boxer from Aberdeen was upbeat about his future after signing a three-year deal with Gilmour.

"I've got two titles to my name but I want to take it to the next level and progress through the ranks and Tommy can help me do that," McAllister said.

"I should have been the top man in Scotland a long time ago."

McAllister, the WBU lightweight and WBU light-welterweight champion, has hooked up with Gilmour on the promise that he will get television exposure for the first time for the fighter.

Nicknamed the 'Aberdeen Assassin', McAllister is as popular in his hometown as the Aberdeen football team.

And he approached Gilmour to take over his career with a view to expanding his horizons and gaining recognition outside the Granite City.

I've got two titles to my name but I want to take it to the next level and progress through the ranks Aberdeen boxer Lee McAllister

"I'm 26 and I'm ready to shine. I can fight and I can box, I've got the talent, the ability and the charisma. I've got the full package and I want my name in bright lights," McAllister said.

"I will fight anybody in the country, including Amir Khan and Ricky Hatton, although I know that the people who control Khan would not allow that to happen

"I'm well respected in Aberdeen but with television, everybody in Scotland and everybody in the UK will be able to see me.

"Even holidaymakers in Spain will be able to watch my fights and in three years I hope to be taking on all comers."

Gilmour is hoping McAllister, who has had one loss in 27 fights, will follow in the footsteps of his protege, former WBO flyweight champion Pat Clinton.

"This is like going back in time for me", Gilmour said. "The last boxer to approach me in this way was prodigal son Pat Clinton.

"He had won British and European championships but he craved something a bit better.

"It would be wonderful if we could re-create that with Lee.

MY SPORT: DEBATE Can Gilmour take McAllister to the next level?

"Lee has never been featured on television and that's the part that I will play.

"I will get television up to the Aberdeen Exhibition Centre and will be able to put a show on, probably in October, with some of my other fighters from Fife and elsewhere. That can open doors for Lee.

"He needs a bigger stage to show everybody that he is one of the best fighters to come out of the north east region."