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.
Pocognoli backs Scotland strikers for 'must-win' game against Slovenia You are the Scotland boss - what would you do? Bowie seizing Scotland shot after World Cup disappointment 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.
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