Rangers linked Chelsea player Billy Gilmour received rave reviews for an outstanding display in an FA Cup quarter-final on Sunday.
Gilmour began his career with the Gers’ Academy and was sold to Chelsea for an initial fee in the region of £2m in 2017 [Sunday Post].
He broke into the first team at Stamford Bridge last season but a knee injury halted his momentum and intense competition for places has limited his playing opportunities this season.
Rangers were linked with loan interest in Gilmour in December [Scottish Sun] and while the report was initially dismissed by Steven Gerrard as merely a rumour [RangersTV], links resurfaced at the back end of the winter transfer window when it was asserted that both the player and his club were considering a loan [The Athletic].
No move materialised in the end, with Thomas Tuchel opting to hold onto the 19-year-old, but prior to Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final against Sheffield United, he hadn’t made a first-team appearance for well over a month.
He showed no sign of rustiness in the high-profile clash, though, partnering Croatia international Mateo Kovacic in midfield to great effect.
Chelsea went in front in the 24th minute through an own goal from Ollie Norwood and Gilmour pulled the strings impressively as the hosts largely controlled possession.
Well-known bluenose Oli McBurnie was one of several Blades players to get a sight at goal in the closing stages, but substitute Hakim Ziyech secured progression to the semis for the Blues with a second goal in injury time.
Gilmour had been replaced in the 72nd minute but the teenager stood out in a team full of established senior internationals and received rave reviews from Chelsea fans.
His post-match tweet received close to 25k likes and hundreds of comments.
Here’s a selection of reactions from Twitter:
Based on these comments from Chelsea fans, there would be more than a few grumblings at Stamford Bridge if Gilmour was allowed to head out on loan anywhere in the future.
However, if his situation doesn’t change at the London club, with Champions League football on offer at Ibrox next season, the Gers may have an outside chance of success if they attempt a loan swoop in the summer window.
Meanwhile, Steven Gerrard is reportedly a candidate to take over as manager at a big Premier League club.
