A nine-year-old girl stole the show at Bruce Springsteen’s Glasgow date by taking the microphone and singing a cappella on stage to a crowd of thousands.

Anna Paton was plucked from the front of a 55,000 crowd when Springsteen – known as The Boss – spotted her waving her arms frantically as she perched on her dad Gerry’s shoulders wearing a Primark baseball cap customised with the Stars and Stripes.

A beaming Springsteen gave Anna the microphone as he opened a three and a half hour set at Glasgow’s Hampden Park on Wednesday night with his classic hit Waitin’ On A Sunny Day – chosen because of a heatwave this week in Scotland.

She sang  the song a cappella, before Springsteen grabbed her hand as his E Street Band kicked in and told her to deafening cheers: “Wow, you’re fabulous.”

Anna later revealed she had been practising his songs for weeks, on the off-chance the icon would invite her on stage.

Social media immediately exploded with Springsteen fans applauding both the unusual choice of opening song and Anna’s performance of it. She gained praise not just for her specially adapted hat but a Born In The USA t-shirt and Stars and Stripes leggings.

After a day being mobbed by her schoolmates because of her instant fame, she said her favourite part was sharing a hug with the legendary US singer.

“When I was on stage I just looked at my cousin the whole time so I wouldn’t get nervous so I didn’t really notice the huge crowd,” she said.

“I knew all the words already so I could sing along – just in case I got asked up.

“I really enjoyed giving him a cuddle, I think that was my favourite part actually,

“I told everybody at school today and they couldn’t believe how lucky I was.

“Bruce is my favourite singer, I love all his songs.

“I love Waitin’ on a Sunny Day, but also Atlantic City and Dancing in the Dark.

“I don’t think I could choose a favourite really – they’re all great.”

Springsteen, 66, was playing the first night of the UK leg of his blockbuster The River tour – his first shows here since 2013.

Anna’s whole family attended the gig, which she got special permission to stay up late for.

She was there with her sister Lucy, 16, her mother Gail, 41, a nurse, and father Gerry, 47,

Anna’s godmother Laura Brownlie and husband Derek, and cousin Rebecca, were also there to witness the moment.

Her father, who works in sales, said at the family home in East Kilbride on the outskirts of Glasgow: “It was an incredible moment. It was Anna’s birthday the day before the concert, so it was a great birthday gift for her.

“Anna is still absolutely buzzing. My wife and I are the proudest parents. She got up on that stage and sang her wee heart out.

“She is a magic wee girl. It was a dream come true.

“Our whole family are Bruce Springsteen fans so she has always known his music.

“Bruce kept looking over at her throughout the concert because she was singing all the songs so loudly, he kept laughing at her. It was really funny.

“Anna practised the song for weeks and weeks on the off-chance he would pick her to go on stage.

“She was elated afterwards. We went back to a friend’s house for a wee party when the concert was over, so it was a great day.

“It was her first time seeing him, because she was too young last time we went.

“She was absolutely desperate to go when he announced the tour. It was a family day out. We queued up for four hours to get in the circle right at the front.

“We were very lucky to make it.

“When he started singing Waitin’ on a Sunny Day I was about 15ft away from the stage with her on my shoulders.

“I just knew I had to get closer to the front so Bruce would see her.

“So I chanced my luck and said excuse me to people and managed to get to the barrier – and before I knew it she was on stage.

“My shoulders and back are killing me today. She was on my shoulders for most of the concert but it was worth it though.

“But it’s definitely an early night for Anna night – she was out way past her bedtime.”

The show was based around Springsteen’s 1980 seminal double album The River.