'Worried' Steve Clarke gives huge Billy Gilmour update as Scotland midfielder faces World Cup sweat
Midfielder hurt during first half of friendly with Curacao
Scotland midfielder Billy Gilmour is a doubt for the World Cup after picking up an injury in the friendly victory over Curacao.
Gilmour went down holding his knee just before half time and after being examined by medics, he walked off the pitch on 42 minutes and was replaced by Findlay Curtis.
Head coach Steve Clarke confirmed afterwards that the Napoli midfielder has gone for a scan and while he admitted it was too early to determine the extent of the injury, Clarke admitted concern. “One hundred per cent worried,” he said in his post-match press conference.
"He hurt himself in the tackle and then made the decision he had to come off so that tells you he himself knew it wasn't right. We just have to wait and see. There is no point speculating or thinking the worst. Let's wait and see what the medics say.
“It's still to be determined by the medical staff, it’s way above my head at this moment in time. I’ve not had a chance to sit down with the medics.”
Capped 45 times by Scotland, Gilmour has emerged a key player for Scotland. The 24-year-old will have his knee scanned this evening ahead of Scotland flying out to their pre-tournament training camp in Florida.
“I’m sitting here hoping and praying he is on the plane,” added Clarke, who may have to call upon a stand-by midfielder should Gilmour not make it.
Gilmour’s injury cast a shadow over Scotland’s farewell match before the World Cup at Hampden. The hosts defeated Curacao 4-1 but not before a scare from the visitors, who took a 17th-minute lead through Tahith Chong and were very competitive until striker Jurgen Locadia was sent off for striking Aaron Hickey in the face.
Findlay Curtis - who came on for Gilmour - levelled just before the break and Scotland took control thereafter, with Lawrence Shankland scoring twice and Ryan Christie converting a penalty.
Scotland have one more friendly, against Bolivia in New Jersey next weekend, before the World Cup begins.
They are in Group C of the competition and face Haiti, Morocco and Brazil as they attempt to reach the knock-out stages of the competition for the first time in the nation’s history.
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