Stephen Naismith believes there is a “good chance” that key midfielder Billy Gilmour will feature in Scotland’s potentially crucial World Cup qualifier against Denmark next Tuesday despite being ruled out of Saturday’s game against Greece.
The 24-year-old has missed Napoli’s last two games with a groin injury and has not traveled to Turkey to join Steve Clarke’s training camp ahead of this weekend’s game in Piraeus, it was announced on Monday.
Assistant coach Naismith said there remains optimism that 43-man Gilmour will rejoin the squad for next week’s visit to Denmark. This match will give Scotland a chance to secure a World Cup berth if they do not lose in Greece.
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Scotland assistant Stephen Naismith is confident his side can secure automatic World Cup qualification with results against Greece and Denmark.
“Billy obviously suffered an injury a few weeks ago,” Naismith said. “There have been arguments to get him on the field, but it’s better for him to stay home and see how this week goes to give him the best chance to prepare. And that’s still a good and realistic possibility.”
“If you force him into the first game when he’s not 100% and do more damage, the risk is higher, whereas if you give him another week, he’s likely to be at a really good level going into the final game.
“I think there’s still a chance we’ll meet him when we get back home.”
Angus Gunn has started Scotland’s first four qualifiers despite not playing for Nottingham Forest.
Gunn’s absence through injury from this month’s double-header means Clarke will have to choose between Falkirk’s Scott Bain, who has not won a cap since 2019, Rangers’ Liam Kelly, who has made one appearance for the club this season, and Hearts veteran Craig Gordon, who has not played a competitive game since early May.
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Scott Bain is vying for his first Scotland cap in six years as he fears he will ruin his chances of another call-up by staying too long at Celtic.
“I think it’s definitely been a tricky area to deal with over the last few years,” Naismith said of the goalkeeping issue. “But what I will say is that the players who came in at a certain point have done really well.
“If you look at the first game away to Denmark, there were question marks because we didn’t have a goalkeeper who plays every week, but Angus Gunn saw his chance and took it.
“I think he was excellent in the four games he played, probably four of his best games internationally, and that now opens the door for another goalkeeper to get that opportunity.”
“The two games at the World Cup are about planting the seed to not only be in this game but to be number one.
“I think it’s one of those situations in a lot of international football where there’s a clear number one and everyone else knows their role, but that position is up for grabs.”
Full Scotland squad:
goalkeeper: Scott Bain (Falkirk), Craig Gordon (Hearts), Liam Kelly (Rangers)
Defender: Josh Doig (Sassuolo), Grant Hanley (Hibernian), Jack Hendry (Al Etipark), Aaron Hickey (Brentford), Scott McKenna (Dinamo Zagreb), Anthony Ralston (Celtic), Andy Robertson (Liverpool), John Souta (Rangers), Kieran Tierney (Celtic).
Midfielder: Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Ben Gannon Dock (Bournemouth), Billy Gilmour (Napoli), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Kenny McLean (Norwich), Scott McTominay (Napoli), Conor Barron (Rangers), Andy Irving (West Ham).
transmission: Che Adams (Torino), Lyndon Dykes (Birmingham), George Hurst (Ipswich), Lawrence Shankland (Hearts).
Scotland World Cup Final Qualifiers
- Greece (A) – November 15
- Denmark (H) – November 18
