"I love...": Scotland star speaks after 106 day exile as international teammate plays major role in cup win
The Scotland international has opened up on his long injury layoff.
Scotland international Billy Gilmour has opened up about his long-awaited return to action, revealing just how much he relished stepping back onto the pitch over the weekend.
Ruled out of action for 106 days, the former Chelsea youngster was forced to undergo surgery on a groin issue in early November, and was subsequently ruled out of Scotland’s memorable 4-2 victory over Denmark that ended a 28-year wait to qualify for the tournament at Hampden Park.
However, the 24-year-old midfielder has now delivered national team head coach Steve Clarke a major boost ahead of next month’s friendlies against Japan and the Ivory Coast by making his injury comeback during Napoli’s 2-2 draw with Roma in the Serie A on Sunday.
Introduced to the pitch in the 79th minute as a replacement for Eljif Elmas with Antonio Conte’s side trailing to a Donyell Malen double, he instantly had an impact on proceedings by starting the move which saw Alisson Santos level the scores at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium just three minutes after entering the field.
Taking to social media after the battling point, Gilmour opened up on his emotions via his official Instagram page after his return to action: “First steps in 2026. There's no better feeling than being on the pitch, and none bigger or better than doing it in front of your support. 10 long weeks, and now back doing what I love with this team."
Elsewhere, Gilmour’s international teammate Aaron Hickey played a major role on his first start for Brentford in over a month as they overcame Macclesfield Town with a narrow 1-0 FA Cup fourth round win against the sixth-tier side. The 23-year-old was handed just his second start of the calendar year by head coach Keith Andrews, replacing Rico Henry in the Bees’ starting XI and instantly repaid his manager’s faith by helping create the later opener, which places his side in the last 16 of the competition.
Advancing down the left flank, the former Hearts player delivered a dangerous cross into the box, which forced Silkmen centre-back Sam Heathcote to head beyond his own goalkeeper as he attempted to clear the ball. The decisive moment in the game, Hickey impressed on his return to the side, creating three chances for his team from the left flank as his side booked their place in the next round of the famous competition.
“What respect I have for what they've {Macclesfield] achieved,” said Brentford boss Andrews after the game. “The journey they've been on. I love the English football pyramid... This club is on a really good journey and I love stories like that. It fills my heart. They were immense and they gave us a proper cup tie. I thought they were awesome and a real tribute to John Rooney and his coaching team."
Brentford have been rewarded for their win over John Rooney’s side with a fifth round tie away to fellow English Premier League outfit West Ham United, with the tie set to be played on the weekend of March 7.
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