Scotland international ends 109-day wait but late goal sees European giants suffer 67-year low

His first start for the Italian giants in 109 days, Gilmour was last named in the Napoli starting XI in a 1-0 win over Udinese on May 24. However, his hopes of representing Scotland at this summer’s World Cup were dashed shortly afterwards when he suffered a knee injury in the team’s 4-1 send-off win against Curacao at Hampden Park the following weekend.

The former Rangers academy starlet said it was difficult to accept his injury, admitting: “Being so close to a childhood dream of mine, to play in a World Cup and now it has been taken away from me with an injury. It's been a tough one to get my head around. I'll see you all back doing what I love again soon, but until then, let's get behind the team.”

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After making his first appearance of the season as a substitute in the 3-2 defeat to Inter Milan at the weekend, Gilmour has timed his return to first-team action perfectly, playing the full 90 minutes of the defeat to Arsenal at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium. With new Scotland head coach Sebastien Pocognoli set to name his inaugural squad next week for the Nations League clashes against Switzerland, Slovenia and North Macedonia, the Napoli midfielder is ready to return to the international fold.

Starting alongside experienced duo Stanislav Lobotka and Kevin De Bruyne in the centre of the park, new Napoli head coach Massimiliano Allegri entered the game looking to avoid a third successive defeat, but was forced to play without Gilmour’s international teammate and key midfielder Scott McTominay. The 29-year-old was ruled out of the game after undergoing successful heart surgery earlier this week, having been diagnosed with a mild, benign cardiac arrhythmia.

Gilmour made his presence felt against the English Premier League champions in the first half, and picked up a booking just before the break when he hauled down England international Eberechi Eze, who was bearing down on the Napoli goal after a neat spin and pass from Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard.

While the Gunners dominated proceedings, it looked as though Allegri’s side may hold out for a valuable point in their opening Champions League game, only for Odegaard to strike in the 75th minute to nab a deserved three points for Mikel Arteta’s side. Laid off by new signing Christos Tzolis, the Norwegian playmaker allowed the ball to roll across his body before belting an effort onto the left-hand post and into the back of the net for the only goal of the game.

Signed on the same day in September 2024 by former head coach Antonio Conte, both Gilmour and McTominay won the Serie A title in their debut season. However, after failing to defend the title and finishing 11 points behind Inter Milan last season, the 57-year-old departed the club and was replaced by six-time title winner Allegri. The new head coach is already under pressure at the European giants, though, with Napoli suffering three defeats in their first four games for the first time in 67 years.