Billy Gilmour has admitted the World Cup heartache will take time after a knee injury ruled him out of the tournament. The 24-year-old Napoli midfielder was forced off during Scotland’s 4-1 win over Curacao at Hampden on Saturday, underwent scans immediately,
Billy Gilmour’s World Cup dream lasted just long enough to be snatched away.
Scotland’s 4-1 win over Curacao at Hampden last Saturday looked like momentum for the midfielder’s boyhood goal. Then, in the first half, Gilmour went down with a knee injury and was forced off. The 24-year-old Napoli star received scans immediately after the match and was pictured leaving the team hotel on crutches.
The real blow came when it became clear he had been ruled out of the tournament. After seeing his dream taken away, he was consoled by manager Steve Clarke, captain Andy Robertson and the rest of the players.
It will not be something he shakes off quickly, Gilmour said himself. Writing on social media. he admitted he “haven’t got the words to describe how I’m feeling right now. ” after being so close to a childhood dream only to have it ended by injury. He added it has been “a tough one to get my head around. ” before thanking supporters for messages that “mean the world to me.”.
Gilmour said he will “see you all back doing what I love again soon,” but for now, he wants to channel the disappointment into backing the group. “Until then, let’s get behind the team and cheer them on. Come on Scotland!” he wrote.
His absence has already been met by a squad change. Gilmour has since been replaced by Manchester United teenager Tyler Fletcher, with Scotland continuing their preparations in America after arriving the day following their Curacao game.
The Scots will take one more step before their World Cup opener when they face Bolivia in their final warm-up match in New Jersey on Saturday night, with the focus on building on what they showed against Curacao.
Scotland begin their Group C campaign against Haiti in Boston on Sunday, 14 June, before playing Morocco and Brazil.
Billy Gilmour Scotland World Cup knee injury Curacao Hampden Tyler Fletcher Manchester United Steve Clarke Andy Robertson Napoli Bolivia Haiti Morocco Brazil Group C