Scotland wonderkid Billy Gilmour is out of tomorrow’s crunch Euro 2020 clash with Croatia at Hampden after testing positive for Covid-19.
The Scottish FA confirmed the news this morning in a brief statement on their website, as Steve Clarke’s side go through their final preparations.
Gilmour made his first start for Scotland at Wembley on Friday night, picking up Man of the Match after a stunning performance in the middle of the park.
The news of his enforced absence will come as a massive blow as Scotland go into the must-win game against the 2018 World Cup finalists.
Gilmour must self-isolate for 10 days as a result of his positive test and, if Scotland qualify, he’d also miss the last-16 fixture.
Billy Gilmour’s absence will be a massive blow for Scotland
The SFA confirmed Gilmour’s positive test and his absence for the Croatia clash, saying: “The Scottish FA can confirm that a member of the Scotland National Team playing squad, Billy Gilmour, has tested positive for COVID-19.
“Having liaised with Public Health England since the positive test was recorded, Billy will now self-isolate for 10 days and therefore miss tomorrow’s UEFA EURO 2020 Group D match against Croatia at Hampden.”
With Gilmour out, Southampton’s Stuart Armstrong is the most likely candidate to replace him in the side against Croatia, although Clarke could decide to push Scott McTominay back into midfield.
Hopefully, Gilmour’s 75-minute masterclass at Wembley doesn’t prove to be the 20-year-old’s only involvement at Euro 2020.
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