Brighton news: Gilmour central to Scotland’s improvement

Billy Gilmour only had to chase German shadows for part of Scotland’s Euro 2024 mauling in Munich on Friday.

The Brighton midfielder’s introduction, moments before the hosts’ fourth goal, came too late to make any odds.

But his influence was more keenly felt on Wednesday as Steve Clarke’s side injected their campaign with a hit of positivity by claiming a point against Switzerland.

They way Clarke’s side played against the Swiss was far closer to the Scotland that downed Spain and shocked Norway in the qualifiers.

Gilmour was central to it. He won back possession more than any other Scotland player, and kept things ticking over in midfield, taking the ball in tight spaces and emitting a sense of calm.

But Gilmour himself was not getting carried away by the improved display.

He knows they have to back it up against Hungary, but there was a confidence they can make history by reaching the knockout stages for the first time.

“We gave everything out there,” the 23-year-old said. “We knew we had to bounce back after the last performance and it puts us in a good place.

“We’re a good team. We know our strengths. Tonight was more like a Scotland performance. Getting after the ball, passionate – everything was there.”

Read more on Gilmour’s impact on Scotland’s performance here