Scotland legend Kenny Miller thinks it is great to see Billy Gilmour involved with the national team at Euro 2020 and admits that the 20-year-old was always “destined” for the top.
Miller got to work closely with Gilmour, training with him as part of the first-team squad at Rangers but also as a coach while doing some additional work with Graeme Murty’s under-20 side.
While Miller is now in Australia, he is still in contact with Gilmour and sent him a message after getting his hands on the Champions League.
After bursting onto the international scene last night with a stunning performance against England, Miller praised Gilmour’s determination to be the best and the way he goes about his business.
“It’s great to see him involved at the Euros as his eagerness to learn has always been there,” Miller told NTOF. “He has the determination to be the best. He has that hunger. What struck me from the first moment I set eyes on him, spoke with him and trained with him, was that he just wants to be the best. He was always destined for the Premier League.
“I remember watching him at Rangers. When you are at a club, you always hear about the youngsters coming through, especially if you are coming towards the end of your career, looking at coaching and things. You always heard of this kid, Billy Gilmour, who people had high hopes for.
“We were in for pre-match and his youth team were playing outside. I had never seen him before, but just from looking at the game, you could pick him out by the way he moved and demanded the ball. He just stands out and I remember taking someone from down south to watch him for the Scotland U15s.
“You could see he was a player playing at a higher level. When he took the ball, the weight of pass was always correct and his decision making, 99 times out of 100 he made the right decision. He’s a humble boy and I still speak to him now. He is so polite. I messaged him after he won the Champions League and he’s still so humble. A great kid.”
Sky is the limit for Billy Gilmour now
Gilmour has been touted as a hot prospect for a number of years but it’s clear the midfielder is ready now to take his career to the next level.
His time at Chelsea has seen him develop physically from the kid who left Ibrox as a small 16-year-old.
With at least one more game for Scotland at the Euros, there’s no reason whatsover for Gilmour not to be in the starting XI when Steve Clarke’s side line up against Croatia on Tuesday.
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