Billy Gilmour: Chelsea FC starlet tipped for ‘huge future’ after man-of-the-match display for Scotland

POOL/AFP via Getty Images
George Flood18 June 2021

Scotland captain Andy Robertson lavished praise upon Billy Gilmour after the Chelsea youngster’s assured man-of-the-match display against England at Euro 2020.

The highly-rated Blues midfielder, 20, was an unused substitute during Monday’s disappointing 2-0 defeat by the Czech Republic in Glasgow, but was handed his first senior international start in a huge Group D clash between old rivals at Wembley.

And Gilmour - who formed an effective partnership with Aston Villa’s John McGinn in the middle - was among Scotland’s most impressive performers as they deservedly held fancied England to a goalless draw to keep their hopes of qualifying for the last 16 alive ahead of a key showdown with Croatia at Hampden Park on Tuesday night.

Such an accomplished display that belied his lack of experience certainly did not go unnoticed among his team-mates, with Robertson in no doubt that the former Rangers starlet has a huge future ahead in international football.

“I spoke to him in the hotel today and I just looked at him, to be fair to Billy nothing fazes him and that is why I believe he can have as many Scotland caps as he wants,” Liverpool’s Robertson said of Gilmour to ITV.

“He has got a huge future ahead of him, but the here and now is pretty good as well.”

Scotland boss Steve Clarke, meanwhile, insisted that he had no doubts regarding Gilmour’s ability to step up and was delighted that he made the most of his chance to shine on the biggest stage.

“We knew before we put him in he can play, it’s just getting the right moment, tonight was his big moment and he took it and no one was surprised by it, certainly not in our camp,” Clarke said.

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