Gilmour downplays landmark 50th Scotland cap, focuses on result

Billy Gilmour, 25, is on the verge of earning his 50th cap for Scotland when the team faces Slovenia in a Nations League Group B1 fixture. The midfielder has downplayed the significance of the milestone, describing the match simply as another game and saying his focus remains on playing well and winning.

Gilmour has recently secured regular starting roles both for Scotland and for Italian club Napoli, where he joined alongside former Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay. His increased playing time with the national team has partly come as a result of McTominay's absence due to illness.

New Scotland head coach Sebastien Pocognoli has encouraged Gilmour to take up more advanced positions on the pitch, similar to the role McTominay played under previous manager Steve Clarke. Gilmour said he welcomes the instruction but remains willing to play wherever he is asked, whether in defence or further forward.

Gilmour's career has been marked by both progress and setbacks. Signed by Chelsea from Rangers' academy at age 16, he suffered a serious knee injury that disrupted his development, followed by a difficult loan spell at Norwich City before rebuilding his confidence at Brighton & Hove Albion. At Napoli, where he joined at the same time as McTominay, Gilmour won the Serie A title in his first season, though a groin issue and a later knee injury prevented him from playing at this summer's World Cup.

On Saturday, Gilmour set up a goal for Kieron Bowie as Scotland beat North Macedonia 2-0, marking Pocognoli's first win as head coach. Gilmour noted that the team has been playing with more attacking intent and creating more chances under the new coaching regime.

Gilmour also praised captain Andy Robertson's recent achievement of earning his 100th international cap in Skopje, and said he now sees himself as one of the more experienced players in the squad, ready to support younger teammates being introduced under the new coach.