Former Scotland striker Kris Boyd thinks Billy Gilmour faces the “ultimate test” on Tuesday when Scotland face Croatia at Hampden in a must-win Euro 2020 clash – but admits it’s “not going to be the last” of Gilmour or Scotland at a major finals.
The Chelsea wonderkid burst onto the international scene with a Man of the Match performance against England at Wembley on Friday night and Boyd expects him to retain his place in midfield for Tuesday’s group stage finale.
Despite having only just turned 20, Gilmour already has a Champions League winner’s medal tucked away but Boyd knows he won’t have had to play against someone like Croatia’s world-class skipper Luka Modric in a game of such massive importance, telling the Scottish Sun: “If Gilmour gets the nod again from Steve Clarke — as I’m sure he will — it will be one of the biggest asks of his career.
“He won’t have played two matches of such significance in such a short space of time.
“He definitely won’t have come up against someone like Modric in such a crucial fixture.
“But the lad was Man of the Match at Wembley and it’ll be the ultimate test for him.
“Whatever happens, it’s not going to be the last we see of Gilmour and this Scotland team at a major finals.”
Billy Gilmour can help Scotland regularly reach major tournaments
The Chelsea wonderkid’s talents have seen him tipped for the top for years and he’s finally showing exactly what he’s capable.
A Man of the Match performance in his first start for Scotland saw him complete 40 for 44 attempted passes – almost twice as many as Aston Villa’s John McGinn.
With a core of really talented young players, there’s no reason this side can’t qualify for more major competitions and avoid another 23-year wait for the Tartan Army.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
