Ally McCoist has suggested on ITV on Monday afternoon that Celtic’s David Turnbull could replace Billy Gilmour in Scotland’s midfield.
The 20-year-old was dealt a huge blow today when it was revealed that he has tested positive for COVID-19, which rules him out of the Scot’s crucial Euro 2020 showdown against Croatia on Tuesday.
It now means that Steve Clarke has to find a replacement for the player who was perhaps the best performer at Wembley against England last Friday.
And McCoist has suggested that Celtic’s attack-minded midfielder, Turnbull, who is yet to taste a single minute at Euro 2020, is an option.
“There’s no getting away from it,” said McCoist. “He will be a big, big loss for us against Croatia tomorrow.
“I wouldn’t (put McTomiany back in midfield). I would keep him there because I think he gives Grant Hanley cover inside him. And I thought he also had a terrific performance.
“We have got options. Christie started the first game. You have got Fleck. But there’s another young lad at Celtic, Turnbull.
“He has just come into the squad and is more than capable of getting forward and scoring goals.”
Scotland need three points against the World Cup finalists if they are to have a chance of qualifying for the knockout stages.
Even though Gilmour didn’t play that opening game against the Czech’s, after that final whistle at Wembley, he soon became one of Scotland’s main guys after a stunning midfield performance.
So, his presence, fearless nature and forward-thinking style would be missed with his absence.
But that doesn’t change the scenario of the Scot’s needing all three points tomorrow evening.
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