Scottish midfielder Billy Gilmour has opened up about his decision to join Napoli in 2024, highlighting the appeal of Serie A and the significant impact of his compatriot Scott McTominay at the club.
Gilmour’s Napoli Journey
Gilmour made the switch from Brighton & Hove Albion to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in the summer of 2024 for a reported fee of €14.75m plus bonus. He followed McTominay to Naples and was part of the squad that secured the Scudetto in 2025 under then-coach Antonio Conte. The 25-year-old has since accumulated 52 competitive appearances for Napoli, contributing two goals and one assist.
Reflecting on his move, Gilmour admitted to Premier Sports TV that it was ‘very hard to say no’ when approached by a club of Napoli’s stature. He expressed a desire to challenge for trophies and be part of a great club, a goal partially realised with the 2025 league title. Despite his progress, Gilmour has faced injury problems, including one that led him to miss the 2026 World Cup for Scotland.
McTominay’s Crucial Role
Gilmour also lauded the influence of Scott McTominay, who was named Serie A Player of the Year in 2025. McTominay was described as an ‘absolutely essential’ part of Napoli’s Scudetto-winning team. Gilmour noted that McTominay’s confidence has ‘grown massively’ since arriving in Italy, becoming a reliable figure for both club and country, as he told Premier Sports TV.
Currently, McTominay is recovering from heart surgery to correct a mild cardiac arrhythmia and is expected to return after the international break. Gilmour conveyed the team’s anticipation for his return, stating to Premier Sports TV, ‘We’re missing Scott now and hopefully things went well, we can’t wait to have him back.’
Adapting to a New Era
The midfielder also touched upon the growing presence of Scottish players in Italy, mentioning Lewis Ferguson at Bologna, Che Adams at Torino, and Lennon Miller at Udinese, alongside historical figures like Denis Law.
Gilmour himself is now adapting to a new managerial era at Napoli, with Allegri having taken over from Conte. He acknowledged the process of ‘getting used to new formations and new ways of playing’ under the new coach, describing it as an ‘exciting’ challenge to Premier Sports TV.