sport news Billy Gilmour crashes back to earth after superb display is followed by a ...

sport news Billy Gilmour crashes back to earth after superb display is followed by a ...
sport news Billy Gilmour crashes back to earth after superb display is followed by a ...

At around 8am on Monday, there was a knock on Billy Gilmour's bedroom door that would feel like he had woken to a nightmare.

Scotland's team doctor stood in the corridor, there to inform the young midfielder he had Covid-19, ruling him out of tonight's game against Croatia, as well as any potential second-round tie.

They say football is a game of highs and lows. In the space of just 60 hours, Gilmour has touched the extremes of that emotional scale.

Billy Gilmour's tournament has taken a turn for the worse after a stellar display against England

Billy Gilmour's tournament has taken a turn for the worse after a stellar display against England

Scotland were very impressive at Wembley as they got their first Euro 2020 point on the board

Scotland were very impressive at Wembley as they got their first Euro 2020 point on the board

Man of the match on his first Scotland start against England on Friday and lauded by every observer from London to Lanarkshire, Gilmour was back-page news. 

Sadly, that is where the 20-year-old remains this morning, his positive test providing the most almighty negative for the player and his nation.

From a mother's tears of joy inside Wembley to her son's tears of heartache inside his hotel room in Darlington, this has been one hell of a weekend for the Gilmours.

But the pain will be felt far beyond their inner circle. Gilmour had given his countrymen hope with his performance during the goalless draw at Wembley.

Hope that, for the first time in their history, Scotland were about to make it beyond the group stage of a major tournament.

That is still possible with victory over Croatia at Hampden Park this evening. But some air has escaped their balloon. 

Steve Clarke doesn't need to quarantine - unlike England duo Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell

Steve Clarke doesn't need to quarantine - unlike England duo Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell

It could have been worse had the remainder of the squad not tested negative yesterday and, somehow, avoided being deemed 'close contacts' of Gilmour.

Steve Clarke never looks too comfortable in front of the media. But he looked like he had a swab up his nose as he faced questions on Gilmour last night.

When asked how their bubble had been breached, Clarke said: 'Not my

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