Charlie can’t wait to grab chance after Perth move Midfielder to build on Arsenal stint
New St Johnstone signing Charlie Gilmour is buzzing for his next chapter in football.
The 21-year-old midfielder has joined the Perth club until the end of the season after impressing manager Callum Davidson in training.
Gilmour’s earlier years in the game were spent at Arsenal where he trained alongside the likes of Mesut Ozil on a regular basis.
More recently, Gilmour was with English Championship side Norwich City and last season was loaned out to Dutch second tier outfit Telstar.
This new adventure at Saints is one he is determined to get the most out of.
“I was at Arsenal during the Emery days,” Gilmour revealed. “I would be training with the first team quite frequently and made two substitute appearances in Europe against Qarabag and Vorskla.
“Obviously Arsenal are one of the biggest clubs in the world, so as a footballer I’m grateful to have that background and to have had that opportunity to play alongside the likes of Ozil and Lacazette to see what they do first hand and why they’re playing at the top level.
“St Johnstone is the next chapter in my career. I’m excited to be here.
“My family is excited to have me playing in Scotland – particularly my nan and grandad who still live in Scotland.
“I’m looking forward to being around the first team every day to show what I can do.
“I want to progress and be the best person I can be on and off the pitch and see where that takes me.”
Gilmour, who represented Scotland across numerous youth age levels, is looking forward to getting back into a footballing routine.
And he feels this is a great time to be walking through the doors of McDiarmid Park, especially with a League Cup final on the horizon at Hampden later this month.
“The club has been getting great results recently to move up the table and obviously there’s a cup final to come,” said Gilmour.
“I’ve loved being around Callum Davidson. He’s a good man-manager and he always speaks to you. He’s always welcoming, always encouraging.
“I feel like he can get the best out of me.
“I want to keep working hard in training every day and improve. I can already tell I have improved since I’ve been here.
“I’m a defensive midfielder and try to just do my best and work hard every day as much as I can.
“I like to have the ball and keep the ball.”
In terms of familiar faces, Gilmour already knows Glenn Middleton.
“Coming in, I only knew Glenn from the youth set-up with Scotland,” he said.
“It’s good to have a familiar face.
“But I feel like I’m a character who gets on well with anyone anyway.”
Manager Callum Davidson reckons the signing of Gilmour is an exciting one.
“He is one who will be a good addition,” he said. “A young player with big talent and hopefully we can get the best out of him.”