Former
Rangers full-back Steven Smith would have no worries if Steve Clarke
included Chelsea midfielder Billy Gilmour in his Scotland squad for this
month’s Euro 2020 play-off against Israel.
The 18-year-old has been heavily tipped for a first call-up to the senior
national team and was watched by Clarke during last Tuesday's 2-0 FA Cup win
over Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.
Gilmour followed that up with a second consecutive man-of-the-match award in
Sunday's 4-0 success against Everton in the Premier League.
Although the teenager has only made seven appearances for Chelsea - and
played just three first-team games in the last four months - Smith believes
he is ready for international football.
Smith told Sky Sports News: "In my opinion, it's quite simple. He's got to
be in there. In that area of the pitch we are relatively strong so there is
real competition for places in the middle of the pitch.
Roy Keane was full of praise for Billy Gilmour, who marked his first Premier
League start for Chelsea with a man-of-the-match display in a 4-0 win over
Everton
"When you're playing at that level in the Premier League, you've got to be
in the Scotland squad. I don't think it would be a risk.
"The biggest worry would probably be if he could handle it physically but I
think he's shown in the games against Liverpool and Everton that he can.
"Also, when he does take the ball, he's really comfortable in possession so
I would have no worries about that whatsoever."
Like Smith, Gilmour began his career at Rangers and has made constant
progress since moving to Chelsea in the summer of 2017 at the age of 15.
Scotland have a wealth of in-form midfielders to choose from, including the
likes of Scott McTominay, the returning John McGinn and Celtic's Callum
McGregor.
John Fleck, Ryan Jack and Stuart Armstrong are also contenders but Smith
believes Gilmour can compete with all of them for a place.
He added: "I think the performance levels he is putting in and the level he
is playing at is outstanding for someone of his age.
"With all the praise he is getting, I think he is the type of character that
I don't think he will let that faze him.
"I think he will continue to do all the right things in terms of working
hard. He's under a management team at Chelsea that will look after him."
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