Former Rangers kid Billy Gilmour played in Chelsea’s FA Cup tie against Barnsley amid consistent commentary about a loan return to Ibrox and the player’s short-term future.
Gilmour, 19, has been a revelation down south ever since moving from Ibrox in 2017 and after breaking through into the Chelsea first-team under Frank Lampard doubts crept in about his immediate future following the appointment of Thomas Tuchel.
Tuchel has previously snapped back at those loan reports, giving Gilmour his backing in the press and the German did so on the pitch by giving him 90 minutes in the 1-0 win over Championship Barnsley.
Chelsea ran out 1-0 winners in the 5th round FA Cup tie courtesy of a Tammy Abraham strike just after the hour mark against the Championship side.
Tuchel claimed that Gilmour is the 4th choice midfielder at the club in rousing comments which suggest he’s going nowhere soon.
“We have a strong midfield and right now he is one of four players for central midfield. The other three players are (Mateo) Kovacic, Jorginho and N’Golo Kante,” said Tuchel [Evening Standard].
“That makes it not easy for Billy to find his place, but he is the No4 right now in my head and to be the No4 out of two positions is a pretty good start for Billy.
“I wanted him absolutely to stay because he has a big impact in training games and his quality is obvious. We are happy to have him and are absolutely ready to push him and help him on his way.”
Despite those comments, there’s plenty of talk regarding Gilmour’s future with Ibrox legend Brian Laudrup even suggesting Rangers should plot a summer swoop with the Champions League on the horizon [Daily Mail].
There were even reports that Gilmour could be set to leave Stamford Bridge on deadline day before the window closed [Football London].
Rangers were also linked with a January loan move for Gilmour – a proposition which will probably follow the player throughout his career – by the Scottish Sun in December.
However, there is one young midfielder currently plying his trade down south who will be moving north of the border come the summer after Rangers announced a pre-contract deal.
