Arabic version: بيلي جيلمور خارج كأس العالم بسبب إصابة في الركبة

Scotland midfielder Billy Gilmour has been ruled out of the World Cup after picking up a knee injury during Saturday’s 4-1 friendly win over Curacao. The Scottish FA confirmed that the 24-year-old Napoli player would not take part in the finals, saying, “We’re all with you, Billy.” Gilmour sustained the injury in the match at Hampden and was substituted after showing visible pain.

Gilmour’s replacement, Findlay Curtis, scored Scotland’s first-half leveller before Lawrence Shankland’s double after the break and a late Ryan Christie penalty. Head coach Steve Clarke expressed his deep concern regarding Gilmour’s injury, stating he was “100% worried” about the situation. “He hurt himself in the tackle and then he made the decision he had to come off, so that tells you that he himself knew it wasn’t right,” Clarke remarked.

The Scotland squad is scheduled to fly to the United States on Sunday. In light of Gilmour’s absence, Clarke mentioned that Tyler Fletcher, who made his senior international debut as a half-time substitute, is a potential replacement. Fletcher, the son of former Scotland captain Darren Fletcher, trained with the squad and impressed the coaching staff during practice.

Clarke indicated that he would consult with his staff to determine the best course of action regarding Gilmour’s replacement. Alongside Fletcher, other players on standby include Conor Barron, Andy Irving, and Lennon Milller, but they are not part of the World Cup squad for upcoming matches against Haiti, Morocco, and Brazil. Kenny McLean, a teammate, praised Fletcher’s potential, noting similarities to his father’s early career.

The loss of Gilmour is a significant blow for Scotland as they prepare for the World Cup, highlighting the unpredictable nature of injuries in sports.

According to BBC News, Gilmour’s injury will require the team to adapt quickly as they finalize their roster for the tournament.