Gilmour Sparks Scotland's Comeback Against Greece
During half-time at Hampden Park on Thursday night, Neil McCann turned to fellow former Scotland international Scott Brown during the BBC's coverage and posed a question likely shared by many in the stadium:
Should Steve Clarke consider bringing on Billy Gilmour?
The Napoli midfielder is widely regarded as Scotland's most technically gifted player in the center of the pitch, yet, similar to the match against Denmark last month, he remained on the bench.
Gilmour entered the game in the 58th minute against Greece, and while the visitors scored shortly after, his subtle influence transformed Scotland's lackluster performance into a spirited victory under challenging conditions.
With Lewis Ferguson and Ryan Christie suspended for the upcoming match against Belarus, Gilmour is expected to be included in the starting lineup. However, questions remain about his role in the critical games next month against Greece and Denmark.
Gilmour's position is now a topic of discussion.
Gilmour Fuels Scotland's Revival
When Kostas Tsimikas scored Greece's goal in the 62nd minute, it capped off a sequence where Greece completed 54 uninterrupted passes over three minutes, with Andy Robertson's glancing header to clear a cross being Scotland's only touch during that span.
This moment epitomized the team's passivity in the first hour.
“I wonder if Steve will consider bringing Billy Gilmour on,” McCann had remarked at the break. “I don't think it’s working with Ryan [Christie] and Lewis [Ferguson] playing so narrow and deep, as they haven’t been involved. We haven't been able to build our game effectively.”
Although Gilmour did not single-handedly change the game upon his arrival, his influence became evident following Christie's equalizer.
His first significant opportunity to distribute the ball came in the 69th minute, where he threaded a pass through a tight space to Ferguson, whose first-time pass just eluded Che Adams as Scotland launched a rapid attack.
Gilmour's intelligent free-kick also set up a good chance for Adams at 1-1, and he recorded five passes into the final third during his half hour on the field, second only to Robertson and Ferguson, who played nearly the entire match.
“I believe Billy Gilmour's introduction was crucial for us to gain control of the ball,” McCann stated after the match on BBC Scotland's Sportscene. “He was instrumental in the cross-field pass that led to Tsimikas taking out Ferguson for the goal.”
As McCann noted, Gilmour's presence was pivotal in the build-up to the second goal, enabling Grant Hanley to find him between two Greek defenders. Gilmour turned, advanced the ball to Christie, received it back, and then passed to Robertson before executing the key pass back to him after McTominay returned it.
Tsimikas fouled Ferguson, who brilliantly capitalized on his opportunity in the box from the free-kick, allowing Scotland to take the lead.
Opta's data shows Gilmour (wearing black number eight) anchored the Scotland midfield for the final half hour, positioning himself centrally in an area that had previously been vacant.
This not only allowed him to engage with the ball but also liberated Ferguson and Christie to advance further, with Ferguson notably improving as the match progressed.
Ferguson was able to position himself near the penalty area, winning a crucial free-kick leading to his goal, showcasing the attributes he has displayed at Bologna.
Gilmour also regained possession three times, matching the performance of any other Scotland player. His subtle yet effective display contributed to an overall improvement in the midfield.
Why Isn't Gilmour a Starter?
Gilmour is not a regular starter under Antonio Conte at Napoli, where Stanislav Lobotka is the preferred holding midfielder when available.
The 24-year-old has made only one start for the Serie A champions this season, yet Ferguson and Christie are also not playing full matches consistently at the moment.
What Ferguson and Christie offer that Gilmour does not is running power and greater physicality, which were vital in the draw against Copenhagen that kicked off the campaign.
Clarke is known for his loyalty, and against a technically skilled Greek side, he likely recognized that Scotland would need to defend and chase the ball effectively.
“You have to appreciate how hard we worked out of possession,” the Scotland head coach emphasized after the match.
The upcoming match against Belarus at Hampden, where Scotland is expected to dominate possession, seems tailor-made for Gilmour. However, after the events against Greece, the argument for him to start in the return fixture in Athens next month has become more compelling.