It’s a dream he’d like to achieve – but Billy Gilmour says he’ll focus on Chelsea before getting his hopes of a Scotland Euro 2020 place too high.
The Chelsea youngster will start tonight for Frank Lampard as they face Krasnodar in a Champions League group stage match. He has been out since July with a torn meniscus.
But after a senior return against Sevilla last week, a first start beckons for Gilmour tonight. Many have tipped Gilmour for a Euro 2020 place with Scotland if he can build on his 11 Chelsea appearances last term.
But Gilmour says getting back playing again on the domestic scene is his main focus: “I am a Chelsea player and I need to work hard here. Hopefully the opportunity does come.
“It would be amazing. But I need to play here, work hard and play well. I was with the Scotland U21s team, in the hotel and all the players and staff were in the dining room watching on the big TV.
“When they (Serbia) scored to equalise it was tense, but after that and through we were buzzing. All jumping around and celebrating. It was a good feeling.
“The gaffer has been really good with me. He has been speaking to me while I have been injured. I’m a Chelsea player, I need to work hard here and get my opportunity and when I do, hopefully, I take it and play well. With Scotland I need to play well here to get in the team.”
Gilmour has attracted many plaudits, including legendary midfielder Roy Keane, the former Manchester United man branding the Chelsea youngster as ‘perfect.’
It’s praise Gilmour is aware of: “I did see it. Obviously it is good to get a good feeling from them as they have been top players and know the game inside out.
“But I need to work hard on my game every day to become a better player.”