Scotland’s national team have confirmed that young midfielder Billy Gilmour has tested positive for COVID-19 and will now undergo a ten-day isolation period, meaning he will miss the crucial Euro 2020 conflict with Croatia on Tuesday.
The Chelsea star picked out the man of the match against England, in what was his first start for his country, and it felt like the beginning of a glittering career on Gilmour’s international stage.
Unfortunately, just a few days later, his momentum ceased when Scotland went to their official website to confirm that Gilmour had tested positive for COVID-19 and will therefore miss his last group game against the Croatians.
Gilmour is likely to isolate himself until the end of June, which means he could miss Scotland’s 16th round if Steve Clarke’s side advances to the knockout stages, while the quarter-finals on July 2 and 3 may also come a little too soon.
The news comes as a huge blow to Scotland, who are still facing an uphill climb to seal a place in the next round of this summer’s tournament.
Gilmour ran the show against England / Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA / Getty Images
Clarke’s men are currently at the bottom of Group D and will need to beat Croatia to take part in a shot to qualify for the quarterfinals, and Gilmour was seen as an integral part of their chances of winning after running the show against England.
The 20-year-old was objectively excellent at Wembley, but his progress has already been derailed and Gilmour is back on the sidelines.
??????? Congratulations, Billy Gilmour! The match star on his first Scotland start ??? # EUROSOTM | @Heineken | # EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/jNTdIah8iN
– UEFA EURO 2020 (@ EURO2020) 18 June 2021
In his place, Clarke has such as Stuart Armstrong and John Fleck to mention along with John McGinn and Callum McGregor, who both impressed against England as well.
Manchester United’s Scott McTominay is also an option, but the 24-year-old did well as a midfielder against England and can keep that role against Croatia.
For more from Tom Gott, follow him on Twitter!
