Still fresh-faced and slight of stature, it is hard to believe Billy Gilmour is already on the brink of a 50th cap for Scotland. The 25-year-old midfielder is finally winning regular first-team starts with both the national team and Napoli. His cause has been aided in part by the absence through illness of clubmate Scott McTominay, and new head coach Sebastien Pocognoli has urged Gilmour to take more advanced positions.
As you might expect from someone Ayrshire born, there are no airs and graces about Gilmour. He plays down the landmark as "overall, it's another game" ahead of the Nations League clash with Slovenia. He admits to "excitement" but stresses his thoughts are on "hopefully a good game and a win." His biggest headline this week was juvenile club Ardrossan Winton Rovers naming a stand in his honour.
Raided by Chelsea from Rangers' academy at 16, Gilmour made his Premier League debut two years later. After a serious knee injury and a difficult loan to Norwich City, he found confidence at Brighton & Hove Albion. At Napoli, joining alongside McTominay, he won Serie A in his first season, though a groin problem and a knee injury ruled him out of this summer's World Cup.
"Ups and downs" is his understated description. "Matured a lot," he said, "but I'm still the same player." Pocognoli wants him to influence the game "higher up the pitch," a role Gilmour embraces. He set up Kieron Bowie for the first goal of Pocognoli's reign in a 2-0 win over North Macedonia, and he dreams of matching captain Andy Robertson's "incredible" 100th cap achievement.
Source: BBC Sport Football · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing