20 exciting Scottish talents to watch in 2020

Both north and south of the border, even abroad, Scotland have many exciting talents that are either breaking through or waiting to make their mark in the senior game.

This year has been witness to the likes of Scott McTominay rising through the Manchester United ranks whilst others like Billy Gilmour and Aaron Hickey continue to win plaudits.

McTominay certainly enjoyed 2020. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

In terms of young talent, Scotland has plenty of it. For the rest of December, we’ll be profiling 20 young players who we think are destined for big things in 2020, showcasing just some of the promising talent this country has to offer.

In no particular order, here are 20 of the most exciting Scottish under 21-year-old’s we believe will go on to have a potentially great 2020.

Billy Gilmour

Perhaps Scotland’s brightest prospect at the moment, the 18-year-old has earned plenty of plaudits at Chelsea. Frank Lampard is a big fan of him and Gilmour has seen senior Blues action on five occasions.

Gilmour’s a talent. (Photo by Clive Howes – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

He’s also captained some Chelsea youth teams. After such a good 2019, the only way is up for Gilmour next year.

Jamie Hamilton

Accies’ teenage centre-back has burst onto the scene this season. He’s made six Premiership appearances at the back, holding his own against household SPFL names like Sam Cosgrove and Jermain Defoe.

2020 will surely be the year he becomes a Hamilton regular and he’s already been linked with moves south.

Dean Campbell

The 18-year-old Aberdeen midfielder has drifted in and out of Derek McInnes’ Dons squad this year. After making his debut aged 16, he’s captained the Scotland U19s and made nine Premiership appearances this term.

Campbell is a youth captain. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images for DFB)

Next year should see him get regular minutes at senior level, whether that’s at Pittodrie or elsewhere.

Sonny Blu-Lo Everton

Last year, Watford academy head Darren Sarll said that the 17-year-old playmaker was ‘one of the most natural players I’ve ever worked with.’ The teenager has now been convinced to play for Scotland by Malky Mackay.

He’s breaking into the international youth set-up whilst also making strides with the Hornets development outfits.

Archie Mair

The goalkeeper moved to Norwich during the summer from Aberdeen. Since then he’s enjoyed a good spell at Carrow Road, playing regularly for the U23s and even making some Premier League matchday squads.

Mair was at Aberdeen. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Back in October he told NTOF that a loan move could beckon for him in the future, so perhaps 2020 could see him test his skills on the senior stage.

Aaron Hickey

Linked with multiple big clubs already, 17-year-old Hickey is Hearts’ golden boy just now after breaking into the team last season.

He’s a regular at Tynecastle now and will be expected to reach new heights during what will be his first full year as a senior professional.

Liam Morrison

Scottish teenager Morrison finds himself out at Bayern Munich just now following a summer switch to the German giants.

Morrison is in Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images)

It’s great to see a youngster test himself at a club of such high calibre and hopes will remain high for him next year.

James Scott

Motherwell’s dynamic forward, the 19-year-old has made himself a joy to watch at times and a regular at Fir Park this season. He’s made 16 league appearances this term.

Whilst he has things to tweak and fine tune on the senior front, there’s no denying that Scott has star quality Motherwell will look to get the best out of.

Lewis Ferguson

By far the most experienced on this list, Ferguson has enjoyed a brilliant 2019 which has allowed him to reach over 50 Aberdeen appearances.

Ferguson’s a Dons star. (Photo by Scott Baxter/Getty Images)

It’s crazy to think that he’ll only turn 21 next August considering how much senior football he’s played. It’ll only get better for him in 2020.

Ryan Porteous

Rivalling Ferguson for the experienced berth, Porteous has excelled since returning from injury in 2019. It’s even earned him a Scotland call-up.

Now that he’s fully fit, expect the Hibs defender to motor on next year.

Fraser Hornby

Currently out on loan in Belgium, Hornby has been long touted as a future Scotland forward, having netted regularly for Everton’s youth teams.

Hornby is in Belgium. (Photo by Tony McArdle/Everton FC via Getty Images)

Now he’s gaining senior minutes, he’ll look to build on that in the next 12 months.

Lewis Fiorini

A regular within the Manchester City U18 ranks, Fiorini is a promising talent at the Etihad and has started to make appearances for the Scotland U19s side.

His step up the U23s has been gradual, so perhaps that’ll be his target next year.

Jack Burroughs

Burroughs has already made steps into the senior game at Coventry, featuring in a handful of Football League Trophy matches.

The Scots kid is a Blue. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)

He’s been capped at U19 level six times too by Scotland and this year’s aim has to be breaking into the Coventry first-team, having caught glimpses of senior action.

Harry Cochrane

Currently out on loan at Dunfermline, the Jambos youngster has struggled with fitness and other matters since his teenage debut against Celtic.

He’s featuring now though for the Pars and has shown his class in stages.

Charlie Gilmour

After his release from Arsenal, Gilmour found himself at Norwich during the summer. He was quickly loaned out to the Dutch second-tier for experience.

Gilmour was released by Arsenal. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

It’ll be interesting to see what type of player comes back from his Dutch venture.

Kieron Bowie

The 17-year-old has made himself a mainstay at Raith Rovers, scoring eight goals in 21 appearances.

It’s only a matter of time before the big names start circling for the young attacker and 2020 could see him fire Raith to League One glory.

David Turnbull

After a terrific breakthrough year at Motherwell, midfielder Turnbull has been sidelined with a troublesome knee problem this season.

A point to prove. (photo by Vagelis Georgariou/Action Plus via Getty Images)

Expect him to return with a bang next year.

Ethan Erhahon

Despite being just 18, versatile Erhahon has already featured over 20 times for St Mirren, Perhaps that came a bit soon and is now being used more carefully by Jim Goodwin.

He’s tipped to be another successful Buddies academy product.

Innes Cameron

Kilmarnock have lacked a clinical striker this term under Angelo Alessio but waiting in the wings is Cameron. He’ll be eager for his chance to regularly shine.