BREAKING NEWS: Scotland’s new star Billy Gilmour tests positive for Covid, three days after the Chelsea youngster was named Man of the Match against England… putting him out of their Euro decider against Croatia
Scotland’s hopes of reaching the knockout stages of the European Championships were rocked by news star midfielder Billy Gilmour has tested positive for Covid-19.
A man of the match display against England from the 20-year-old raised expectations that Scotland could progress from a winner-takes-all clash against Croatia at Hampden Park on Tuesday night.
But Gilmour will play no part against Luka Modric and Co after testing positive for the virus. He will be required to self-isolate for 10 days, all but ending his involvement at Euro 2020.
Billy Gilmour has tested positive for Covid-19, the Scottish Football Association confirmed
The Chelsea midfielder’s enforced absence in isolation is a huge blow to boss Steve Clarke
Scotland were looking to Gilmour to inspire a win in their crucial final game against Croatia
A statement from the Scottish FA read: ‘Having liaised with Public Health England since the positive test was recorded, Billy will now self-isolate for 10 days and therefore miss tomorrow’s UEFA EURO 2020 Group D match against Croatia at Hampden.’
Soon after news broke of Gilmour’s positive test, a video surfaced from the team hotel where the young midfielder is seen enjoying some ping pong.
Taken on Andy Robertson’s Instagram story, the video shows Gilmour, along with John McGinn, unwinding with a game in the team hotel.
The video has since been deleted from the Liverpool full-back’s Instagram account.
It remains unclear at this stage if anyone else in Scotland’s camp will be forced into isolation as a close contact of Gilmour.
Gilmour was left out of the side for the opening group defeat to Czech Republic but proved a revelation in the match at Wembley against England.
He was seen hugging some of his Chelsea team-mates after the match and it would be expected that there will be question marks around both Ben Chilwell and Mason Mount prior to England’s final group game.
The Blues youngster was hailed by Patrick Vieira, Graeme Souness and Gary Neville as a difference maker and his enforced absence arrives as a crushing blow for Scotland and their hopes of progressing.
Even if Scotland progress without him, his 10-day isolation period would also rule him out of any last-16 tie.
More to follow.