Billy Gilmour opens up in magazine interview

ARDROSSAN football star Billy Gilmour says Ayrshire junior football and feeling close to home have played a vital role in his career to date.

The Brighton midfielder also discussed Scotland’s Euro 2024 hopes as he opened up in a recent magazine interview.

Local star Gilmour discussed a range of topics as he spoke to Men’s Health magazine ahead of fronting the latest edition of their magazine, which will go on sale in Scotland on Tuesday, May 21.

The 22-year-old spoke to editor Gordon Smart as part of the magazine’s Euros special, and discussed his high hopes for the tournament.

He told Men’s Health UK: “Playing in the opening game, a curtain-raiser, is something every player wants to do in a major tournament.

“I’m really, really excited to represent the country we believe in ourselves and we can go far.

“When you win, there is no better feeling celebrating, being happy, it means a lot. I definitely love winning more than I hate losing.

“Losing is part of life; it just makes the happy moments more special. I’m loving my football, and I’m loving my life at the moment.”

The former Rangers youth star also spoke in length about his career to date and how he overcame the various obstacles that came his way.

Gilmour said that despite his “small” five foot seven frame he learned to protect himself from an early age.

Credit for this went to watch his dad, Billy Gilmour senior, star in the Ayrshire junior football ranks - roots which Gilmour has regularly revisited in recent years, returning to take part in training sessions at Glenafton Athletic during English football’s summer break.

“I used to love being around the dressing room,” he told Men’s Health.

“They would be swearing at each other, it was some environment to be around men’s football and see what it was really like.

“I might be small, but watching that, I learned how to look after myself and protect myself. You need to be smart. Because I’m never going to be the biggest or the strongest.”

It’s something he has carried forward in his career as he looks to find ways to overcome the “strong, powerful players” of the English Premier League.

He continued: “I feel really good. I love running. In the off season, I look forward to a 5K or a 10K.

“I’m a player who needs to do my gym work I know it’s not my game and I have to keep myself strong because I’m up against strong, powerful players, who also happen to be great with the ball.

“For a little guy with little legs, I can run all day. My stamina is a big strength. If someone wants to man mark me, I’ll just keep running you’ll have to catch me. I can run all day.”

Gilmour also credited nutrition in playing a key role as a modern-day professional - though admitted he always has tastes of home nearby for when they are required.

He explained to Men’s Health UK: “Whenever my mum and dad or grandad drive down to Brighton, my freezer ends up stocked with slice and tattie scones.

“I’ve always got it there if I need to feel close to homebut the nutritionists and chefs at Brighton are fantastic.

“They always give you the best food for your body. I’ve had blood tests to see what works best for me, and I do focus on what I eat because it will just make me feel better.

“Nutrition is a massive part of a modern-day professional player and how you perform.”

The midfielder also took the time to discuss strength in another important way - mentally, away from the pitch.

The Ardrossan boy opened up to the magazine on “a low time” at Norwich City, where he found himself struggling during a loan spell - and how he found ways to get through it.

Gilmour explained: “I went on loan to Norwich, which I thought would be good for me. It turned out to be a fight, a battle. I learned a lot.

“At the time, I didn’t enjoy it on the pitch. It didn’t look like I was going back to play at Chelsea when I was getting picked for Scotland, I wasn’t playing either so I was just a young kid and it was a low time for me.

“I had great people around me like Kenny McLean and Grant Hanley who really helped me through. I learned how strong I was.”

He added: “I put a smile on my face, even though I was hurting, especially when I was living on my own in Norwich.

“Some nights I’d be sitting there thinking ‘this is crap’, but that’s where my family helped me. You can only learn from that.”

And the midfielder also spoke on stepping out of his comfort zone off the pitch when he signed a deal to work with fashion label Burberry shortly after his move to Chelsea in 2017.

Gilmour said that despite it being far removed from what he was used to as a youngster growing up in Ayrshire, it was something he found comfort in.

He explained to Men’s Health: “I remember getting the phone call about Burberry and immediately thinking it was a wind-up.

“It was something I really liked top people in fashion styling you, getting make-up done.

“I’m from the west coast of Scotland it wasn’t what I was used to.

“It took my mind off football and, weirdly, I found it relaxing like doing this for Men’s Health. It’s something completely different.”

Billy Gilmour fronts Men’s Health editions in Scotland. The full interview is available now for Men’s Health members on the MH app or in the magazine on sale from May 21.