‘Gilmour on course to be a world-class Scottish star’

MARK WARBURTON believes Billy Gilmour can develop into a genuinely world-class midfielder for Scotland and Chelsea. The former Rangers manager tried to persuade Gilmour to remain at Ibrox as a 15-year-old, but has been delighted to see the progress made following his move to Stamford Bridge in 2017. Now 19, the Scotland Under-21 cap earned glowing praise after being

promoted into the Chelsea first team by manager Frank Lampard earlier this season. With the English Premier League returning to action this week, Warburton feels there are few limits on what Gilmour could eventually achieve within the game. ‘David Weir and I went to his house to try and keep him for Rangers,’ Warburton recalled to Sportsmail. ‘We spent time with his mum and dad, but when the big boys come calling, it’s tough. ‘His talent was unquestioned. I remember he played against what was a Dundee reserve side with a number of first-team players in it. ‘I’m looking at Billy who was 15 and thinking there is a health-and-safety issue here because he was so slight. But he went out and absolutely ran the show. ‘He had trained with us a couple of times in the first team and I am really pleased to see how he is doing now. ‘What a talent. I think Scotland have a future world-class midfield player, I really do. ‘I think he is going to keep on improving because he is in a great environment with Frank and Jody (Morris, assistant manager) and the players at Chelsea. ‘I very much hope he can continue that progress because, if so, Scotland truly will have a world-class midfield player there.’ Currently in charge of Queens Park Rangers, Warburton has a strong background in youth development from his time at Watford and Brentford. He ranks Gilmour — who hit a double for Chelsea in their 7-1 thrashing of Warburton’s QPR yesterday in a behindclosed-doors friendly at Stamford Bridge — among the very best he has seen. ‘I remember one of my first academy games with Watford was against Arsenal,’ added the 57-year-old. ‘We had a good team and we got beaten 9-0. ‘I think it was Under-12 level and I saw this kid just run the show. It was Jack Wilshere. ‘Whichever side he was on would have won the game 9-0. He was so far ahead of his time and so talented. ‘Billy Gilmour is right up there with him. Jack has been unlucky in terms of being hit by injuries, but Billy is in a great environment. ‘If you love the game of football, his development is great to see. It really is.’