Gilmour upbeat at Lesser Hampden after World Cup knee blow and Miami first pitch
Billy Gilmour sat at Lesser Hampden reflecting on missing Scotland’s World Cup this summer after suffering a knee injury in the farewell game at Hampden against Curacao, and described a bright memory from a ceremonial first pitch at a Miami Marlins game. He told BBC Scotland he was nervous before the pitch at the Marlins’ match against the Texas Rangers and was relieved it “wasn’t a crap throw, or it was bouncing.”
The 25-year-old Napoli midfielder said the injury came just days before he was due to jet off to the United States with the Scotland squad for the first men’s World Cup the nation had experienced since before he was born. He acknowledged the blow was significant for manager Steve Clarke, the squad and the country, and admitted the initial days after the knee problem were difficult before he decided to spend time with family in Boston and Miami.
Describing the moment of injury, Gilmour said: "The boys fell on top of me and I've heard something straight away," and added: "Typical, try to run it off, make sure it was okay." He said he had to take himself away for a couple of days: "It was tough. You have to take yourself away for a couple of days and I did. I got to go away for a bit, just kind of switch off and it happened, so I had to deal with it." He also noted the positives of being able to watch the World Cup games and spend time with family: "When you think of it, how lucky you still are to get to go there and watch the games and be with family and family holiday also."
Gilmour recalled his guest appearance with the Miami Marlins and the ceremonial first pitch, saying: "I was nervous," and: "I was just so happy it wasn't a crap throw, or it was bouncing. It was some experience." He described how, while he would be with the team on some nights, the squad, captain Andy Robertson and Clarke had advised him on managing his time: "Look, if it's too much to come in, don't come in. Stay as much time with the family. Go and experience it with the fans."
He was still in Miami when news broke of Clarke's resignation as Scotland head coach, and Gilmour said he owes Clarke a great deal after Clarke gave him his debut in 2001. The article notes it is now the Sebastien Pocognoli era, with the former Rangers, Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion man described as central to it.
On the field, Gilmour attracted attention in a resurgent second half of Scotland's 0-0 draw in Slovenia on Saturday, playing with a different dynamic to his usual deep-lying central role. The change in approach came in the absence of his club-mate Scott McTominay, who is recovering from a heart procedure, and allowed Gilmour to operate higher up the pitch at times.
Gilmour said of his positioning: "When I was younger, I really liked playing higher up, trying to be among it." He added: "Whenever I get asked to play on the pitch, as long as I'm on the pitch, I'm happy. I just want to play football and enjoy it." Now 25, he accepts a more senior role among the influx of younger players and remained non-committal about future captaincy, saying: "For me, it's everyone's dream to be a captain at a club or a country. Of course I'd be really proud to, but Robbo's my captain and he's a really good captain as well. What he's done for Scotland is incredible and he's very close on the record [most caps held by Kenny Dalglish] and I'm sure he'll get it."
Gilmour is set to feature at Hampden on Tuesday against Switzerland, with the match due to be shown live on the BBC, and the full interview is available on the BBC Scottish Football YouTube channel.
