Former Rangers boss Mark Warburton thinks Chelsea midfielder Billy Gilmour can become a “world-class” player – and spoke about watching him ‘run the show’ against an experienced Dundee reserve side aged 15.
Warburton was manager at Ibrox as Gilmour made his first start for the Gers’ reserve side, coming up against the likes of James McPake in the Dens Park side.
After bursting to prominence a Chelsea, Warburton and Gilmour were reunited yesterday when the midfielder scored a double in a 7-1 romp over Warburton’s QPR.
“David Weir and I went to his house to try and keep him for Rangers. We spent time with his mum and dad, but when the big boys come calling, it’s tough,” Warburton told the Daily Mail.
“His talent was unquestioned. I remember he played against what was a Dundee reserve side with a number of first-team players in it.
“I’m looking at Billy who was 15 and thinking there is a health-and-safety issue here because he was so slight. But he went out and absolutely ran the show.
“He had trained with us a couple of times in the first team and I am really pleased to see how he is doing now.
“What a talent. I think Scotland have a future world-class midfield player, I really do.”
Gilmour has really impressed since breaking into the first-team – although it’s no surprise to anyone who watched him climb the rans at Ibrox before his move south.
The former Rangers youngster is destined for the very top and it is only a shame he never got to make his first-team debut for Rangers before moving on.