Gilmour’s destined to shine

Sunday Mail 51

Chelsea youngster Ruben Sammut insists Scotland prodigy Billy Gilmour is living up to the hype at the Blues.

Former Rangers trainee Gilmour has enjoyed a memorable first season, helping the Under-18s bag a historic quadruple, and was named their scholar of the year.

More individual accolades followed in the recent Toulon Tournament after the 17-year-old was named the ‘revelation of the tournament’.

He was also listed in the team of the tournament as the Scotland Under-21s reached the semis.

Sammut – who joined Falkirk on a season-long loan on Tuesday – was the Chelsea Under-23 captain last season and admits Gilmour is flourishing at Stamford Bridge.

The midfielder said: “He did really well during the summer at the Toulon Tournament and he has trained with us a lot – you could tell how good he is.

“With his games last season he was probably one of the top performers and he was named scholar of the year.

“He is living up to the expectation and he is producing.

“With his attitude he is always going to do well.

“He’s a really good lad as well – I get on with him really well. He wished me good luck when he found out I was coming up here.

“We’ve got a good relationship, hopefully he can do well in the set- up down there and I can come back.”

Sammut is hoping an eyecatching spell at Falkirk this term can propel him back into the Scotland Under-21 squad

He hasn’t featured since November 2016 after earning three caps under Scot Gemmill.

He said: “That is definitely on my mind and I hope performing on the pitch can help me earn a recall for the 21s again. That’s another aim for me this season.”