• Published30 minutes ago

Still fresh-faced, still slight of stature, still to reach the peak of his powers after a career blighted by untimely injuries, it is hard to believe Billy Gilmour is already on the brink of a 50th cap for Scotland.

The 25-year-old midfielder at last is winning the regular first-team starts, not only with the national team but also with Napoli, his talent surely deserves.

His cause has, ironically, been aided in part by the absence through illness from both of clubmate Scott McTominay.

It has also certainly encouraged new national head coach Sebastien Pocognoli to urge Gilmour to take the kind of more advanced positions his fellow midfielder occupied under predecessor Steve Clarke.

More of that later, because we really should be making more of that cap landmark.

Well, we would if the man himself did not play it down as "overall, it's another game" as he prepares for a personal bit of history at home to Slovenia in Nations League Group B1 on Tuesday.

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    'Matured... after ups and downs'

    As you might expect from someone Ayrshire born, there are no airs and graces about Gilmour.

    Indeed, the biggest headline about him this week was juvenile club Ardrossan Winton Rovers naming a stand in his honour as part of his sponsorship deal with his once local club.

    Gilmour does admit to "excitement" at the prospect of that 50th cap, but he stresses that his thoughts are mainly on "hopefully a good game and a win".

    "I'm always so proud to put on my national team jersey and go out there," he said.

    "We're very lucky as well. Not everyone gets to represent their country in sports."

    Raided by Chelsea from Rangers' academy as he was about to make the Ibrox first-team aged just 16, Gilmour made his Premier League debut two years later.

    His progress at Stamford Bridge hampered by a serious knee injury, he had a difficult time on loan to Norwich City before gradually finding his confidence again at Brighton & Hove Albion.

    However, it is with Napoli where Gilmour, joining at the same time as McTominay arrived from Manchester United, has made his reputation.

    Winning Serie A in their first season, Gilmour's progress was nevertheless again hampered by a groin problem at the turn of the year before the biggest blow yet - a knee injury picked up in the final pre-tournament friendly that ruled him out of this summer's World Cup.

    "Ups and downs" is his understated description of his career so far.

    "Matured a lot," he added when asked how he had changed since his first cap in 2021. "But, for me, I think I'm still the same player.

    "I still want to get on the ball, get on the ball technically. I know I'm not the strongest or biggest, so I try to stay away from all that, but I try to do my best whatever I'm told to do."

    'Fans are getting excited'

    Billy Gilmour's pass set up Kieron Bowie for the opening goal in Skopje

    What Pocognoli has told him to do is try to influence the game "higher up the pitch".

    "It's nice to hear that he wants me to play in a more advanced role," Gilmour said.

    "If he asks me to do a job then I'll do my best anywhere on the pitch, whether it's in defence or up front. Most of all, I'm just happy to be playing.

    "I know, if I'm not on the ball, I can't be a threat as much as I want to in the game."

    Gilmour set up Sassuolo striker Kieron Bowie for the first goal of Pocognoli's reign and send them on to the Belgian's first victory, 2-0 in North Macedonia on Saturday.

    "As a group, you've seen we are aggressive and on the front foot, playing through the lines, and we've created a lot of chances, although we have not took as many as we'd have liked," he said when asked what had changed tactically under the new regime.

    "But we're creating chances, the fans are getting excited and us, as players, we enjoy playing it.

    "Of course it's still early and will take time, but we're doing well so far."

    Gilmour will now be dreaming matching what he described as the "incredible" and "amazing" achievement of captain Andy Robertson, who earned his 100th cap in Skopje.

    Ever humble, though, Gilmour already sees himself as one of the elder statesmen willing to pass down his advice to some of the fresh young talent being squeezed into the squad by the new head coach.

    "I was the youngest when I came in," Gilmour recalled. "Steve Clarke brought me in and I can't thank him enough for putting his trust in me.

    "I think we've got great players in the squad - a lot of new faces also. We have experienced players who will help the youngsters, but we'll need to take our time and be patient, but so far we're getting to grips with it."

    Pocognoli has certainly seen Gilmour's value, with three starts in three games.

    "We try to play the football he also likes because he is really involved in terms of the connection between the defenders and high up the pitch," the Belgian said.

    "With Napoli, he just started to play some minutes before the camp, but now I hope it will help him take the next step with his club."

    Slovenia counterpart Bostjan Cesar is also an admirer - and is aware of the danger posed to his side by Scotland's diminutive midfield general.

    "Billy Gilmour is a very good player in the Italian top division and he had a really good season, where he was the engine of his team," he said.

    "We will try to match his skill."

    • Scotland Men's Football Team