I’d have told Billy to stay at Chelsea and train alongside world-class stars every day
Scotland legend hails Gilmour but fears move to Norwich was the wrong call
GRAEME SOUNESS takes a far greater interest in Norwich City results this season than he ever has before and probably ever will again.
What a relief for him, then, that the bleeding seems to have stopped and a team whose survival chances appeared fatally wounded from the outset are showing signs of Premier League life.
The reason for this fuss is that, like every other Scotland fan, Souness is obsessing over Billy Gilmour’s wellbeing.
In fact, the former Rangers and Liverpool boss fretted from the very start of the loan move engineered by former Borussia Dortmund allies Thomas Tuchel and Daniel Farke.
The Chelsea manager was content to guide Gilmour towards the tutelage of Farke for a full loan season. But by mid-September the plan took on a most-flawed look as the Carrow Road coach benched the midfield star.
And there he remained for the entire duration of each of the final six matches of Farke’s reign.
It was to Gilmour’s credit – and testament to the talent that has wowed 54-times capped Souness – that he at no stage allowed his lack of club action to impact negatively on Scotland.
The midfielder’s World Cup qualifying displays against Moldova and Denmark belied the troubles he experienced with Norwich.
Farke’s top-flight newcomers took some big beatings with and without the 20-year-old, including a 7-0 at Stamford Bridge when Gilmour was unavailable by the terms of his deal.
A regular hammering could be harmful for the darling of the Tartan Army, feared Souness, whether grafting away in a losing team or parked among the substitutes.
But there was Gilmour at Hampden, against previously unbeaten Denmark, at his thrilling, fearless best as Scotland played with a vigour in victory over a quality nation not witnessed for many a year.
“I have watched Billy play for Scotland recently and I like him,” said Souness. “He’s such a lovely footballer. I like the way he takes the ball in tight areas and just doesn’t give it away.
“I did slightly worry about him being at Norwich, a team that were getting gubbed every week. You’re concerned. I can’t help but look back on my own career.
“I improved as a player when I went to Liverpool simply by training every day with world-class players.
“I look at Phil Foden not being allowed to leave Manchester City.
“Pep Guardiola saw that with
Foden and wanted him around Kevin de Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, top men.
“If I had been advising Billy – don’t forget he’s played in Chelsea’s team and showed he can perform in the Premier League – then I’d have said to stay where you are.”
Now in favour with new boss Dean Smith, Gilmour and the Canaries have responded with a win over Southampton and draw against Wolves.
They are dragging relegation rivals towards them and the loan partnership could yet be a fruitful one.
Gilmour made a point of stating his intention to be firing on all cylinders come the World Cup playoffs in March.
Scotland tackle Ukraine at Hampden then, if successful, will travel to Wales or Austria for a Qatar 2022 shootout.
Like the rest of the nation, Souness is pleasantly surprised to be lifted by six wins in a row to round off qualifying.
He said: “This is the strongest squad we’ve had for a long time. Denmark are a really good team. We showed, even when on the back foot in the latter part of that game, that we knew how got over the line so that’s all that matters.
“Now we can look forward to the play-offs with a lot of confidence.”