Billy Gilmour eyes Scotland’s 50th cap after a new role

Billy Gilmour, the Napoli midfielder, is edging closer to a 50th Scotland cap and comes into it with a clear aim for this Tuesday’s Nations League home game vs Slovenia (Group B1). The push is to play “higher up the pitch”, a request from new head coach Sebastien Pocognoli after Gilmour helped deliver his first win.

Gilmour played down the personal landmark, saying it’s “overall, it’s another game”, while admitting he’s “excited” about reaching 50. His focus remains on the result: “hopefully a good game and a win”.

Playing higher in the pitch

Pocognoli believes Gilmour’s value is in linking the defence with advanced positions, and he has rewarded it with three starts in three games. Gilmour even contributed directly to the first goal in that 2-0 success on Saturday in North Macedonia, setting up Kieron Bowie.

From injuries to momentum

Now 25, his rise has been slowed by injury setbacks. After arriving from Rangers’ academy as a teenager and debuting for Chelsea, he later had a difficult loan spell at Norwich before finding his footing with Brighton and then Napoli. In Italy, he also suffered a knee injury picked up in the final pre-tournament friendly, ruling him out of the summer World Cup. Still, he insists he wants to keep growing while helping set the tone for a youthful squad.