Billy Gilmour's absence for Scotland after returning positive Covid-19 test is a 'blow for the nation', admits Graeme Souness... who also insists shock setback 'knocks us sideways' ahead of crunch clash with Croatia By Daniel Davis For Mailonline Published: 11:50 BST, 21 June 2021 | Updated: 11:50 BST, 21 June 2021 Viewcomments Graeme Souness has described Billy Gilmour's absence for Scotland as a result of his positive coronavirus result as a 'blow for the nation', and insisted they will 'miss him' in their final Euro 2020 group stage game. Gilmour, aged just 20, delivered a superb performance in the goalless draw with arch rivals England on Friday night, and emerged as a key player for his country heading into the winner-takes-all clash with Croatia. However, after returning a positive test, Gilmour will now be forced into self-isolation for 10 days - a spell which may end his time at the tournament - and Souness has admitted the setback has hit Scotland hard. Scotland's Billy Gilmour has been forced into isolation after testing positive for coronavirus 'An enormous blow for him, but what a blow for the nation,' Souness told Sky Sports. 'Just when things were starting to look good. We're playing good football, he was the star of the show. Then for this to happen, that knocks us sideways. 'That trio in Callum McGregor, John McGinn and Billy Gilmour the other night were fabulous. They were good on the ball, they hunted it down and they looked a really strong three in there. This is an almighty blow for us.' Graeme Souness has admitted Gilmour's absence comes as an 'almighty blow' for his nation Gilmour was the standout performer in midfield during Scotland's goalless draw with England After impressing at Wembley, Gilmour was named as the man of the match - and the starlet's selection proved to be a stroke of genius from Steve Clarke, who left him out of the defeat by Czech Republic. Souness highlighted the midfielder's relentless work rate, and praised the way he took to one of the fiercest fixtures on the international stage. 'For 20 years old, what a debut. He worked his socks off,' Souness added. 'He's only had five starts for Chelsea in the Premier League last year, so I was thinking he was going to go off in the second half. 'He's obviously got a very good engine, he kept going. Going into that game, young players and sometimes senior players burn themselves with nervous energy. But he showed none of that. He showed no signs of that, kept going for the 90 minutes. The young midfielder's positive result may cruelly bring an early end to his time at Euro 2020 'The football he played on that stage, and with the pressure on the team, was quite outstanding. What a player he's going to be going forward. He keeps the ball in tight spaces, his first thought is to get it forward into his strikers. 'He's not afraid to get involved in the meatier side of the game for someone so slight. We will miss him. I know it sounds daft, but we will miss him tomorrow night.' Confirming Gilmour's test result, the Scottish FA said in a statement that they 'liaised with Public Health England' after disaster struck. Sportsmail has learned that there are no close contacts in Scotland's camp that will also isolate 'Billy will now self-isolate for 10 days and therefore miss tomorrow's UEFA EURO 2020 Group D match against Croatia at Hampden,' they added. Sportsmail has learned that there are no close contacts inside Scotland's camp that will be made to isolate alongside Gilmour. However, even if the nation were to reach the last-16 tie without him, Gilmour would also miss that, too, all but ending his run at the Euros already. What happens next? Now Gilmour must isolate along with any others who had close contact Once a player tests positive for Covid-19 they must immediately isolate from the rest of the squad in order to contain any potential outbreak. Team-mates or staff deemed to have had close contact with the infected players must do the same. Teams must fulfil their Euro fixtures as long as they have a minimum of 13 players available. Advertisement Read more: Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility