https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2020/11/12/
gilmour-targets-playing-return-ahead-of-big-week-for-scotland
Gilmour targets playing return ahead of big week for Scotland
12 Nov 2020
Billy Gilmour could play his first competitive football since early July
this week as he continues his recovery from a long-term knee injury north
of the border with Scotland Under-21s.
https://i.imgur.com/HoPURXN.jpg
The teenager has not featured since damaging the meniscus in his right
knee in our 3-2 win at Crystal Palace following the post-lockdown restart
in the summer.
After making 11 appearances under Frank Lampard last term, and impressing
with man of the match performances in back-to-back games against Liverpool
and Everton before the shutdown, it was a cruel way for the youngster's
breakthrough season to end.
https://i.imgur.com/u8IqfwO.jpg
Gilmour impressed in midfield in our FA Cup victory over Liverpool last
season
Four months on, Gilmour is back training with the squad at Cobham and
hopes this international break will work out well for him to start
building up some much-needed minutes.
'It wasn't the best timing but the recovery has been going well,' he says
ahead of this afternoon's big qualifier against Croatia. 'I'm back
training and I'm here to get some minutes hopefully.
'It's amazing to be back with the squad. I've been out for a long time so
I can't wait to get back and try to help the team qualify.'
Scotland's youngsters are aiming to reach the Under-21 European
Championship finals for the first time since 1996. For a gauge of just how
long ago that was, Claude Makelele and Gianluigi Buffon were two of the
stars of the tournament!
Gilmour acknowledges it's been a while since this age group competed
amongst Europe's best ahead of a defining week for Scottish football. The
Under-21s are two wins away from securing qualification, while Steve
Clarke's senior side could seal their place at next summer's Euros with a
win in their play-off against Serbia later this evening.
'It's a massive week for the country,' Gilmour states. 'Hopefully the
first team can go and do it. For us, it's been a long time since an
Under-21 team has qualified but we have two games where we have a really
good chance of making some history ourselves.'
Looking further ahead, the midfielder believes he can force his way back
into Lampard's plans once he's back to full fitness.
'I'm enjoying it,' he adds. 'It's a great experience and great for my
development to play with these world-class players. There's so many
trophies in there and I'm learning every day.
https://i.imgur.com/zfPJjQL.jpg
The teenager has been back in training at Cobham in recent weeks
'It's nice to get recognised for the good stuff. I'm going to keep working
hard and continuing my form once I'm back from my injury. It's going to be
a hard team to get into but hopefully I'll get more game time and
experience.'