Scotland's hopes for the upcoming World Cup have been significantly dampened following the devastating knee injury sustained by key midfielder Billy Gilmour.
The incident occurred during Scotland's friendly match against Curacao, where Gilmour was forced to leave the field in the second half of their 4-1 victory.
Further medical examinations have confirmed that the playmaker will be unable to participate in the entire World Cup tournament, a major blow to the team's aspirations.
His teammates have been quick to rally around him, with Scott McTominay expressing his profound sadness. McTominay, who has a close relationship with Gilmour both at club and international level, took to Instagram to share his thoughts.
He described the injury as a "cruel" twist of fate and conveyed the unwavering support of the entire squad to Gilmour during this difficult time.
Head coach Steve Clarke also shared his disappointment, emphasizing Gilmour's crucial contribution throughout the qualification process. Clarke lamented the "so, so cruel" timing of the setback, recognizing the void Gilmour's absence will create.
Gilmour is now set to return to his club, Napoli, where he will commence his rehabilitation program. His focus will be on a full recovery in time for the next domestic season.
Meanwhile, the Scottish national team will proceed with their preparations, playing their final friendly match before embarking on their World Cup journey in Group C.
