Scotland: Life after World Cup heartache is bright for Billy Gilmour

Gilmour was still in Miami when news broke of Clarke’s resignation as Scotland head coach. He’s a man the Napoli midfielder acknowledges he owes so much to after giving him his debut in 2001.

Now, however, it’s the Sebastien Pocognoli era and the former Rangers, Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion man seems central to it.

In the 0-0 draw in Slovenia on Saturday, it was Gilmour who caught the attention during a resurgent second half for the Scots.

He is often seen as more of a deep-lying central midfielder, but there was a different dynamic to his game with the absence of club-mate Scott McTominay, who is recovering from a heart procedure.

“When I was younger, I really liked playing higher up, trying to be among it,” Gilmour, who is set to feature at Hampden on Tuesday against Switzerland – live on the BBC, said.

“Whenever I get asked to play on the pitch, as long as I’m on the pitch, I’m happy. I just want to play football and enjoy it.”

Now 25, there is plenty time to make new memories in a Scotland shirt. Yet, with so many young faces coming into the squad, the Ayrshire man is probably now a senior figure in the group.

It’s something he says he embraces, although Gilmour is coy about the prospect of maybe taking on the armband whenever current captain Robertson decides to pass it on.

“For me, it’s everyone’s dream to be a captain at a club or a country,” he said.

“Of course I’d be really proud to, but Robbo’s my captain and he’s a really good captain as well.

“What he’s done for Scotland is incredible and he’s very close on the record [most caps held by Kenny Dalglish] and I’m sure he’ll get it.”