Scotland midfielder Billy Gilmour’s World Cup is over before he has even boarded the US-bound plane tomorrow.
The Napoli player has a grade 2 medial knee ligament tear which required him to be substituted 42 minutes into Scotland’s eventual 4-1 victory over Curacao at Hampden Park today.
Typical recovery timescale for this time of injury is believed to be 6-8 weeks.
Although Gilmour was able to walk off the pitch manager Steve Clarke talked later of having “fingers crossed” the player’s problem was not too significant.
Ominously Clarke also admitted he was “100 per cent worried” about Gilmour’s condition.
THe Scottish Football Association announced: “We regret to announce that the knee injury sustained by Billy Gilmour in today’s win over Curaçao will rule him out of participation in FIFA World Cup 2026.
“Everyone involved with the Scotland Men’s National Team wishes Billy a speedy recovery. He will now return to his club, SSC Napoli, to commence rehabilitation.”
Scotland national team manager, Steve Clarke said: “I am devastated for Billy because he has been an integral part of our World Cup qualifying campaign. The timing of this injury is so, so cruel and we all feel for him.
“He knows what we all think of him as a footballer and a person and while no words will give him any comfort tonight, I am certain Billy will have many major tournaments ahead of him in the future.”
Among those mentioned as a possible replacement from outwith the original squad selection are Rangers’ Connor Barron, Lennon Miller, who plays in Italy with Udinese and even Tyler Fletcher, the Manchester United youngster who made his debut against Curacao and is the son of ex Scotland star Darren Fletcher.
Always a calm head in the midfield and Scotland will miss him massively. Feel sorry for the young guy, but he will get another chance in 4 years.
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