FODEN BIGS UP GROUP RIVAL BILLY

ENGLAND starlet Phil Foden has backed Billy Gilmour to be a key Scotland star.

And Three Lions colleague Luke Shaw hailed the outstanding talents of Manchester United club-mate Scott Mctominay as part of the all-round threat from Steve Clarke’s troops at the Euros.

Gareth Southgate’s key duo heaped praise onto their Group D rivals with the teams due to meet in a crunch second match of the section on Friday week. Gilmour (above), 19, who has rocketed into contention for a starting spot in Monday’s opener against Czech Republic, was part of the Chelsea squad that downed Foden (left) and Manchester City in the Champions League final and Foden rates his fellow midfielder.

He said: “Billy Gilmour is a great talent. He’s still so young and still has a lot to learn. I’ve played against him a few times and every time I have been impressed. He is going to be a great player in the future and he will be a great player for Scotland.”

While Gilmour triumphed on the continent before joining his national squad, it was agony for Mctominay in the Europa League final against Villarreal as United lost on penalties.

However, Shaw, who shared the anguish, noted the Scot’s man-of-thematch showing against the Spaniards and said: “Scott’s been brilliant for us this season. Even in the final I thought he was our best player on the pitch that night.

“He’s an extremely talented player and a very important part of Manchester United. You can obviously see that the manager trusts him because he’s in the team a lot.”

Shaw says he has spoken about the Wembley clash with his Old Trafford buddy and is adamant the rigours of a gruelling term with United will not affect him or Mctominay.

He added: “When it comes to a major tournament for your country, fatigue for me goes out the window.”