News Focus
- Napoli midfielder Billy Gilmour withdraws from Scotland’s World Cup squad after suffering a knee injury against Curacao
- Manchester United teenager Tyler Fletcher makes his international debut and emerges as the leading candidate to replace the injured star
- National team manager Steve Clarke admits he is “100% worried” about the setback ahead of the finals
- The squad is scheduled to fly to the United States on Sunday for group matches against Haiti, Morocco and Brazil
Scotland’s preparations for the global tournament have been thrown into chaos after key midfielder Billy Gilmour was forced to pull out of the squad. The 24-year-old sustained the knee problem during Saturday’s friendly match against Curacao at Hampden Park, which the home side won 4-1.
Gilmour started the game but had to leave the pitch in pain during the first half. The player had planned to attend a family wedding later that day. The Scottish Football Association has now confirmed he will miss the finals, sending a message of support which read: “We’re all with you, Billy.”
Napoli teammate Scott McTominay also offered his condolences on social media. “Absolutely devastated for you brother, football is a cruel game and you don’t deserve this, keep your head up. The players, staff and country love you,” he wrote on Instagram.
Head coach Steve Clarke expressed his concern immediately after the match. “One request was obviously no injuries,” he explained. “He hurt himself in the tackle and then he made the decision he had to come off, so that tells you that he himself knew it wasn’t right.” The manager described himself as “100% worried” about the situation.
The injury could hand an opportunity to Manchester United youngster Tyler Fletcher. The 19-year-old came on at half-time against Curacao to earn his first senior cap. Clarke confirmed the teenager is now under serious consideration to take Gilmour’s place in the final squad.
Fletcher is the son of former Scotland captain Darren Fletcher. The boss revealed he nearly brought the youth player on earlier in the match. “I actually thought about putting him on as Billy came off but I just thought I’d have a little look, see how the game panned out before introducing him at half-time,” Clarke said.
Three other players remain on standby: Rangers midfielder Connor Barron, Andy Irving of Sparta Prague, and Udinese’s Lennon Miller. However, Fletcher appears to be the favourite. “He’s trained well this week, so he’s a little bit closer than the other three,” Clarke noted.
Norwich City midfielder Kenny McLean has backed the young talent. “I said to the lads after his first session, I could see something special in him,” McLean stated. “In my first session with Scotland, Darren stood out a mile. Fortunately for us, his son is pretty similar. There’s a lot of potential.”
The Scotland squad will travel to the United States on Sunday for the tournament.