Gilmour nears 50 caps as Scotland's new boss pushes him forward
Billy Gilmour is one game away from 50 caps for Scotland, and his new manager wants him to celebrate it further up the pitch.
Scotland host Slovenia at Hampden on Tuesday in Nations League Group B1. It would be a landmark night for the 25-year-old midfielder, who plays his club football for Napoli BBC.
New head coach Sebastien Pocognoli has urged Gilmour to play higher. He wants less safety-first passing from deep and more risk around the box.
The early signs are good. Scotland beat North Macedonia 2-0 on Saturday for Pocognoli's first win in charge. Gilmour set up the opener for Kieron Bowie, the Sassuolo striker, with captain Andy Robertson winning his 100th cap in the same game BBC.
A cap is an international appearance. Fifty puts a player on Scotland's International Roll of Honour, a list that recognises long service to the national team.
Pocognoli has tipped Gilmour to become a major driving force for Scotland Scotsman. He said he wants a happy Gilmour playing with a smile, and has asked him to take more risks in midfield to unlock defences Guardian.
Gilmour says he is still fundamentally the same player who made his debut five years ago STV. He earned his first cap in 2021 after joining Chelsea from the Rangers academy at 16.
His road since has been eventful. He moved to Napoli at the same time as Scott McTominay arrived from Manchester United, then won Serie A, Italy's top league, in his first season there. Back home, his first junior club Ardrossan Winton Rovers even named a stand in his honour.
This summer brought a hard stop. Gilmour suffered a knee injury in the final pre-tournament friendly and missed the World Cup. He was replaced by Findlay Curtis during Scotland's send-off win over Curaçao, the game in which Scott McKenna won his 50th cap Scottish FA.
What makes this stand out is the timing. Gilmour is back fit, back starting, and being asked to add goals and assists to the control he already brings.
For fans, this means a familiar face in a slightly new role. Pocognoli's first game was a 0-0 draw away to Slovenia. Defender McKenna is suspended for the return at Hampden, so Scotland will need creativity from elsewhere.
A home win would keep the new era moving. A 50th cap would give the night its memory.
