Scotland plan to fast-track Chelsea wonderkid Billy Gilmour into senior squad

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Billy Gilmour has boosted his chances of being fast-tracked into Scotland’s senior squad with his breakout performance in Chelsea’s FA Cup win against Liverpool.

Teenage midfielder Gilmour was the best player on the pitch at Stamford Bridge in Chelsea’s 2-0 victory on Tuesday, with Scotland manager Steve Clarke watching on.

Clarke has been resistant to promoting Gilmour from Scotland’s Under 21s up to now, convinced that the Tartan Army have sufficient options in central midfield as it stands and that there was no need to rush him at this early stage of his club career.

The 18-year-old’s mature display on such an occasion, against the level of opposition and on just his third Chelsea start underlined the quality of the talent Scotland have on their hands and is expected to force Clarke into a rethink.

Gilmour enhanced his claims for a call-up as Clarke finalises his plans for Scotland’s Euro 2020 play-off semi-final against Israel at Hampden Park this month.

Clarke was due to be at Tuesday's Nations League draw in Amsterdam though swerved that due to growing concerns about coronavirus and instead headed to the FA Cup fifth-round tie at his former club.

Gilmour’s display made it an especially worthwhile visit for Clarke, who also got to run the rule over his captain Andy Robertson, the Liverpool left-back.