Chelsea midfielder Billy Gilmour joined an elite group of Scottish players to have lifted the European Cup after he was part of the Blues squad that triumped over Manchester City on Saturday in Porto – and Scotland boss Steve Clarke needs to give him the opportunity to light up Euro 2020 by handing him starting spot when the tournamet gets started later this month.
Gilmour is yet to make his senior debut for Scotland but has been a stand out for the under-21s after being fast-tracked into Scot Gemmill’s side, before making the breakthrough at Stamford Bridge.
(Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
The former Rangers wonderkid’s lack of experience at senior level shouldn’t hold him back this summer though as Scotland make their return to a major tournament for the first time since France 98 and the World Cup group stage games against Brazil, Norway and Morrocco.
Incredibly, Gilmour won’t be the only member of the Scotland squad with a Champions League winner’s medal tucked away, Liverpool star Andy Robertson also having lifted the famous trophy, and Clarke should put his faith in the 19-year-old this summer.
Future of Scotland’s national team
Gilmour is going to be a key part of the Scotland team for years to come and with the absence of Ryan Jack and Kenny McLean through injury, it has opened up a possible spot in Clarke’s side for the Euros.
Pre-competitiom friendlies against Luxembourg and the Netherlands will give an idea of how Clarke plans to line-up when the competitive games get underway, with Gilmour competing with the likes of Callum McGregor, John McGinn, Scott McTominay and John Fleck for a starting place.
Ever since breaking into Rangers’ under-20 side, Gilmour has regularly proven he can compete against far more experienced players, and he continues to defy the critics who expected he’d simply be lost in the shuffle after moving to Chelsea.
Gilmour has the potential to go as far as he wants in the game, and with a Champions League medal at 19, he could easily end up one of Scotland’s best ever so Clarke should throw some caution to the wind and gamble on the Chelsea star.
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