As Brighton faced off against Chelsea at the weekend, the match might’ve proved something of a reunion for perennially Rangers-linked midfielder Billy Gilmour.
The 22-year-old Scotland international was once again linked to Ibrox in the summer but eventually made the switch to Brighton with then Chelsea-boss Thomas Tuchel viewing the midfielder as surplus to requirements.
The Seagulls reportedly paid £10m to bring Billy Gilmour to the AMEX whilst Graham Potter – now of Stamford Bridge – was the manager.
And it was Potter who was taught a lesson or two by his old side as Italian manager Roberto De Zerbi dismantled the Blues 4-1 in a resounding victory in Brighton.
But whilst the fact Billy Gilmour might’ve potentially faced his old side was nothing more than subplot, it is one which failed to transpire as De Zerbi once again failed to pick the player.
The former Ibrox Academy youngster has found minutes hard to come by ever since moving to Brighton in the summer and has in fact only made five across three matches for the club, not taking into account injury time.
Billy Gilmour was a late substitute for Brighton against Leicester, Spurs and Man City in the Premier League whilst he was an unused substitute in the weekend’s convincing win over Chelsea.
Rangers-linked Billy Gilmour struggling for Brighton minutes
With competitive Brighton 8th in the Premier League, it shows that things are working in the seaside town and speaking last week De Zerbi gave an insight into why he is not starting the Scotland international.
The Italian – whilst admitting his admiration for the player – was frank about the other options in the squad being ahead of Billy Gilmour at present.
“I really like Billy Gilmour,” said De Zerbi.
“I think he can improve a lot with us and for our work for next week.
“But Caicedo and MacAllister are two big players for us. He has to find the space to play and I have to give him more space but it is difficult.
“We do not have Europa or Champions League, we have one game per week but there are many good young players. I am speaking Gilmour, Sarmiento and Lamptey. Lamptey played part of the game very well.”
It might have some questioning whether a move to Brighton was the right one for Billy Gilmour with Rangers destined to be linked if an exit beckons in the coming windows.
Meanwhile, one Rangers star has just been handed a devastating blow after working himself back to fitness.
