Chelsea and Scotland star Billy Gilmour could have went abroad as a youngster – but Kenny Miller says he was always destined to reach the English Premier League.
Having just turned 20, Gilmour has already won the Champions League with Chelsea and currently forms part of Scotland’s Euro 2020 squad. Miller worked with Gilmour at Rangers while the midfielder trained with the first-team at just 15, clubs from around Europe flocking to see him in action.
The Chelsea talent has enjoyed a fast rise in football. (Photo by Patrick Elmont – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Gilmour eventually picked Chelsea in 2017, and Miller tells NTOF that the midfielder is heading to the top, regardless of what club he’s at: “He had a number of options down south and abroad on the table (before his move to Chelsea). He’s a wonderful player. You can see his ability.
“His Chelsea appearances have been sporadic but he’s always in the squad and that speaks volumes of the progress he is making. When he steps in, he comes in and sometimes steals the show. His performances have been excellent and he’s won a couple of Man of the Match awards. Whenever he plays he does not look out of place.
“It’s great to see him involved at the Euros as his eagerness to learn has always been there. He has the determination to be the best. He has that hunger. What struck me from the first moment I set eyes on him, spoke with him and trained with him, was that he just wants to be the best. He was always destined for the Premier League.
Miller worked with Gilmour at Rangers. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
“I remember watching him at Rangers. When you are at a club, you always hear about the youngsters coming through, especially if you are coming towards the end of your career, looking at coaching and things. You always heard of this kid, Billy Gilmour, who people had high hopes for.
“We were in for pre-match and his youth team were playing outside. I had never seen him before, but just from looking at the game, you could pick him out by the way he moved and demanded the ball. He just stands out and I remember taking someone from down south to watch him for the Scotland U15s.
“You could see he was a player playing at a higher level. When he took the ball, the weight of pass was always correct and his decision making, 99 times out of 100 he made the right decision. He’s a humble boy and I still speak to him now. He is so polite. I messaged him after he won the Champions League and he’s still so humble. A great kid.”
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