Opinion – Billy Gilmour loan deal to Celtic makes perfect sense

With the news emerging from Chelsea that Billy Gilmour will be part of Chelsea’s development group rather than Thomas Tuchel’s first-team squad during the West London’s pre-season tour of the USA, it would appear Gilmour will be looking at yet another loan swap rather than first team EPL exposure in the season ahead.

Chelsea have extended Billy Gilmour’s contract until the summer of 2024 after the club exercised an option in the midfielder’s contract, yet having been cut from Tuchel’s pre-season plans you can safely assume that has been done to allow the Scotland international to find another club to move to for the season ahead.

With first team opportunities likely to be limited with the likes of Jorginho, N’golo Kante, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Sam Gallagher, Matteo Kovavic and Mason Mount all ahead of the talented Gilmour in the Stamford Bridge pecking order, a switch a way makes a lot of sense for all parties concerned.

Scotland players left to right Ryan Christie, Billy Gilmour, Callum McGregor and John Souttar sing the national anthem during the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier match between Scotland and Denmark at Hampden Park on November 15, 2021 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Gilmour is certainly a talented player, and it’s no shame not to have forced his way into first team contention with Chelsea given the embarrassment of riches in Tuchel’s midfield, but given his last loan destination of Norwich was something of a disastrous move, could a loan switch to Celtic bring about a blossoming of Gilmour’s undoubted talent?

Callum McGregor and Billy Gilmour have built up an impressive understanding with the national team and there is little doubt Gilmour would benefit from playing in an attack minded side with a greater deal of ball possession and attacking intent than he would have experienced fighting relegation with Norwich. With Celtic having lost both Nir Bitton and Tom Rogic from last season’s first team roster, perhaps there is room for Gilmour in Celtic’s midfield for the season ahead, and an option that would allow for a talented player to join the team without a transfer fee attached.

Photo: Mike Egerton

Of course, there is theRangers connection to contend with and perhaps that would be a tough bridge to navigate for both sides, yet whilst the maternal line of Gilmour’s family tree is of a blue persuasion the paternal line is not, perhaps therefore such a switch for the former Ibrox youth product may not be as unpalatable as some may think.

Everton and Frank Lampard seem to be the strongest contender thus far when it comes to securing Gilmour’s services for the season ahead, and given his former boss knows his game and gave the player his first team breakthrough, it would be safe to assume the Toffees would be front of the queue this summer. But Champions’ League Group stage football isn’t on offer at Goodison, while it very much is at Celtic. Perhaps that may be enough to turn Gilmour’s head in the direction of Glasgow’s east end, rather than Merseyside.

It may well be viewed as a controversial move for Gilmour to consider, but when such a talent is available and Celtic have midfield vacancies, the chance to pick up a player of such ability must surely be worth Celtic and Gilmour’s consideration.

Shaun Riley

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15 Comments

  1. Joesph Allan on

    Your silly gilmore article must be one of the most pointless, stupid articles I’ve ever seen in my life, who are you ??????,. Are you that bored that you feel the need to write this utter garbage. Take a look at yourself.

  2. Fantastic player and although you briefly touch on the “the rangers” connection, his mother’s moronic comments on the strip colour when he signed on at Norwich sadly means no chance he will be allowed to wear the hoops.

  3. John McQueen on

    This guy isn’t coming to Celtic. His family are staunch UVF. Werent happy he joined Norwich as they had green in their strip.

  4. Gary Macpherson on

    Agree, good move for Club and player. But mother’s reaction at Norwich signing needs to be carefully considered as it didn’t do the boy any favours last season.

  5. Roy CRAWFORD on

    That’s highly unlikely I’d suggest. He wanted to play at higher level and that has enabled him to gain caps at International level. Despite the fact that he’s a great long term prospect and Celtic have Champions League group stage to look forward to, I’d doubt he’d want to put himself or his family into a really awkward position, and all that goes with it, in the West of Scotland.

    I’d embrace him, if it happened, but I’d advise him to stay well clear of it.

    • First lets ask the rabid roasters to post elsewhere. Silly Gilmour FFS. ? Who took off the parental controls?. Good talking point to taise. . Quality player and Celtic always wan’t those. Whether his maw not liking the Notwich strip or not is the same sort of zealotry some of oir fans show in their hatted of blue:orange is beside the point. I think he’ll go with Lampard and from a Scotland POV thats probably the best outcome and for the player too. He needs first team action or he will just regress.

  6. Yea I’m sure his mum will be welcome around the boardroom etc, what with her adversity to any of the 50 shades of Green.

  7. It makes no sense at all given he’s not remotely the type of midfielder we need.

    McGregor is playing that role.

  8. What planet are you on his family are as blue as they come. What a bullshit article

  9. His mother’s bitterness as well as signing Mooy means this will never happen. Good luck to the lad.

  10. Hahahaha your having a laugh and when we play the scum do you think he’ll try his best aye right you are thats a joke evening mention that scum uvf scumbag billy g and his family of rats.