Billy Gilmour Ruled Out Of World Cup After Knee Injury In Scotland Vs Curacao Friendly

Scotland’s Billy Gilmour was ruled out of the World Cup after a knee injury sustained during the team’s 4-1 friendly win over Curacao at Hampden Park on Saturday.

“- Published Scotland midfielder Billy Gilmour has been ruled out of the World Cup after picking up a knee injury during Saturday's 4-1 friendly win over Curacao”

BBC

Steve Clarke said he was "devastated" after it was confirmed Gilmour would miss Scotland’s World Cup campaign, adding that the timing of the injury was "so, so cruel".

BBC

Clarke also said the Napoli midfielder was taken off in the 42nd minute, and Scotland subsequently confirmed Gilmour will miss the tournament.

Sky Sports reported that a scan after the game revealed Gilmour has damaged his knee and he will return to his club side Napoli for rehabilitation.

Scotland’s first World Cup game is against Haiti in Boston, with the BBC noting the Scottish FA confirmed the 24-year-old would not take part in the finals.

With Gilmour out, Clarke said FIFA regulations will allow him to bring in a replacement, and he identified four potential candidates after Scotland’s friendly victory over Curacao.

The BBC reported that Clarke confirmed Tyler Fletcher, the 19-year-old Manchester United player, was one possible replacement, while Rangers’ Connor Barron, Sparta Prague’s Andy Irving, and Udinese’s Lennon Miller were not in the World Cup squad but were named as standby options.

EDP24

Clarke said: "Those three are on standby and obviously Tyler joined us this week," and he added that Tyler had trained well this week.

The Mirror also quoted a Scotland statement saying, "We regret to announce that the knee injury sustained by Billy Gilmour in today's win over Curacao will rule him out of participation in the World Cup."

Sky Sports added that Fletcher is the son of former Scotland captain Darren Fletcher, and that Fletcher made his debut against Curacao as one of five young players who trained with the men’s squad this week.

Scotland’s World Cup group schedule includes matches against Haiti, Morocco and Brazil, and the FotMob report said the Scots are aiming to make it to the knockout stage for the first time.

“Clarke 'devastated' as knee injury rules Scotland's Gilmour out of World Cup Billy Gilmour sustained a knee injury in Scotland's 4-1 win over Curacao, and he will now miss the World Cup”

FotMob

Clarke said he was "100% worried" about Gilmour’s prospects of making it to the USA, and the BBC quoted him saying, "One request was obviously no injuries."

The BBC also reported that Napoli and Scotland team-mate Scott McTominay wrote on Instagram: "Absolutely devasted for you brother, football is a cruel game and you don't deserve this, keep your head up."

EDP24 said the Scottish Football Association confirmed Gilmour would not be on the plane to the Florida training camp on Sunday, and that he would return to SSC Napoli to commence rehabilitation.

As Scotland prepares for their final warm-up game before the finals against Bolivia in New Jersey on Saturday, Clarke faces a decision on whether to use Fletcher or one of the three standby options to cover for Gilmour.