At the end of 2019, we tipped 20 of Scotland’s most promising youngsters from Chelsea to Kilmarnock for big 2020’s.
Nobody could have predicted the year we have since gone on to have, football put into cold storage for a period, some players having to overcome adversity, others securing big moves along the way.
While big stories emerged at the likes of Chelsea and Everton, there are also tales to be told at Montrose and Fir Park. Here’s how our 20 tipped youngsters did over the year.
Billy Gilmour – Chelsea
It was a topsy-turvy year for Gilmour. He made a huge impression at the end of 2019/20 for Chelsea, starring in particular during an FA Cup match against Liverpool. But a torn meniscus curtailed his progress.
He’s since returned to the senior fold, and with rumours of loan moves afoot, you could argue 2021 may be even bigger for the Chelsea kid.
Jamie Hamilton – Hamilton Accies
More progress has been made by the versatile defender this year. Former Accies manager Billy Reid took him down to Brighton for a week’s training to see how he coped in a Premier League environment.
Since then, he’s built on his senior experience under Brian Rice, arguably Man of the Match at the weekend as Hamilton drew 0-0 with St Johnstone.
Dean Campbell – Aberdeen
Another one affected by injury, like many footballers, 2020 has been stop-start for Campbell. He got a run of games as November drew to a close and December started, but has started just four times this term.
Last year we tipped Campbell for a loan move, and as he turns 20 in March, that might not be the worst idea next season.
Sonny Blu-Lo Everton – Watford
It’s as you were for the teenage Watford talent. Still highly-regarded, the attacker has remained at U18s level for now and a lack of international youth football has made Scotland appearances harder to come by.
Archie Mair – King’s Lynn Town
Our first transfer on this list, Mair told us last year that a loan move will eventually occur for him. It’s happened in 2020, moving from Norwich City to National League King’s Lynn Town.
He has been their number one this term, invaluable senior experience for the young keeper.
Aaron Hickey – Bologna
A real Scottish success story from 2020. The former Hearts youngster has been chased since his breakthrough at 16 and finally got his big move to Serie A with Bologna.
He has featured regularly too, playing nine times after overcoming Covid-19 too. Is a Euro 2020 spot achievable?
Liam Morrison – Bayern Munich
Similar to Blue-Lo Everton, not much has changed for Morrison. He is still playing youth football in Germany as he slowly makes his way up the ladder, a regular at U17 level.
James Scott – Hull City
Making his big move just a few weeks after tipping him for a big 2020, Scott is now with Hull City, after a deal worth seven figures took him from Motherwell to the English Championship.
Now in League One with the Tigers, he has made 24 appearances with four goals.
Lewis Ferguson – Aberdeen
Head and shoulders above everyone in this list in terms of senior experience, Ferguson hit 100 starts from 100 games at Aberdeen in December, a key player at Pittodrie under Derek McInnes.
He is loving his football in the north-east and surely teams will take interest in the coming months.
Ryan Porteous – Hibs
The only man capable of rivalling Ferguson for experience is Porteous. He has successfully returned from a bad knee injury and is now a mainstay in Jack Ross’ Hibs defence.
Fraser Hornby – Stade De Reims
We thought that Hornby would potentially leave Everton on loan again but instead he opted for a big switch. After a loan spell in Belgium, Hornby is now permanently in France with Stade De Reims, following a lengthy association with Everton.
Lewis Fiorini – NAC Breda
Another Scots kid abroad, Fiorini is playing regular senior football with NAC Breda in the Dutch second tier, on loan from Manchester City.
Several players from the UK like Mason Mount have built their senior experience in Holland, could Fiorini be the next?
Jack Burroughs – Coventry City
Coventry City’s promotion to the Championship has somewhat curtailed Burroughs’ chances of senior football. He has featured for just 10 minutes in the League Cup, but at 19, still has time on his side.
Harry Cochrane – Montrose
A big 2021 could await Cochrane. After a recall from his Dunfermline loan by Daniel Stendel, current Hearts boss Robbie Neilson has sent him on loan to Montrose in League One.
Impressions there will be key for his long-term Hearts future, still one of their brightest prospects.
Charlie Gilmour – free agent
Gilmour will end the year without a club after a departure from Norwich City earlier this year. Following a loan spell in Holland, Gilmour left the Canaries for more senior chances, but none have been forthcoming so far.
Kieron Bowie – Fulham
A massive move awaited Bowie in the summer as he swapped League One champions Raith Rovers for Premier League Fulham. He is now getting to grips with life at the elite level of football.
David Turnbull – Celtic
Turning on the style for Celtic these days, we expected Turnbull to return from a cruel knee injury with a bang. He did just that, shining for Motherwell before bagging the Steelmen a record fee with his move to Parkhead.
Ethan Erhahon – St Mirren
The versatile Buddie is now a regular fixture in his natural midfield position within Jim Goodwin’s in-form Buddies team. Signing a new contract until 2023, don’t expect that to ward off interest.
Innes Cameron – Ayr United
Cameron is on the other side of Ayrshire racking up experience as Kilmarnock look to get him minutes at Ayr United. It hasn’t quite happened for him yet at Rugby Park but he’ll be hoping for that to occur in 2021.
Scott Banks – Crystal Palace
Another young Scotsman on the move and one shining very brightly at Selhurst Park. Banks has been nominated for Premier League Two Player of the Month awards since moving south from Dundee United as he edges closer to a senior bow.
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