From the moment he burst on to the scene for Scotland at Wembley in the last European Championships, it was clear that Billy Gilmour would be a slick and stylish footballer.
Delivering a man-of-the-match performance as Scotland drew 0-0 with England, Gilmour ran the show in midfield with a performance which oozed class and composure.
On what was his first start at international level, and having only turned 20 the week before, the Tartan Army had a new hero.
Now three years down the line, Gilmour will hope to star for Scotland once again when the Euros get underway against hosts Germany in Munich next month.
The cover star for a Men’s Health Euros special on sale in Scotland, the little maestro has opened up on his interest in fashion — and how he would love to make a statement for Scotland this summer.
Billy Gilmour has opened up on how his passion for fashion helps him relax away from the pitch
The Scotland star has been featured on a special Euro 2024 edition of Men’s Health magazine
Gilmour has also opened up on his struggles at Chelsea, claiming he endured a testing time
‘I remember getting the phone call about Burberry (when he was a young player at Chelsea) and immediately thinking it was a wind-up,’ said the Brighton midfielder.
‘It was something I really liked — top people in fashion styling you, getting make-up done. I’m from the west coast of Scotland — it wasn’t what I was used to.
‘It took my mind off football and, weirdly, I found it relaxing — like doing this for Men’s Health. It’s something completely different.’
Three years ago, Gilmour was thrust into the limelight almost in the blink of an eye. His performance at Wembley was testament to a maturity that was beyond his tender years.
Now a far more experienced operator, he has established himself with the national team and also in the English Premier League.
Determined to make his mark against the Germans and go beyond the group stage, he said: ‘Playing in the opening game, a curtain-raiser, is something every player wants to do in a major tournament.
‘I’m really, really excited to represent the country — we believe in ourselves and we can go far.
He is hoping to make a statement with Scotland at this summer’s European Championships
The 22-year-old moved to Brighton in 2022 and has made 40 appearances for the Seagulls this season
‘When you win, there is no better feeling — celebrating, being happy, it means a lot. I definitely love winning more than I hate losing.
‘Losing is part of life; it just makes the happy moments more special. I’m loving my football, and I’m loving my life at the moment.’
Now settled and established at Brighton, Gilmour is in a far better place than when he endured a troubled loan spell at Norwich City in the season that followed the last Euros in 2021.
On loan from Chelsea at the time, it proved to be a testing experience for the youngster at Carrow Road.
‘I went on loan to Norwich, which I thought would be good for me,’ he added. ‘It turned out to be a fight, a battle. I learned a lot. At the time, I didn’t enjoy it on the pitch.
‘It didn’t look like I was going back to play at Chelsea — when I was getting picked for Scotland, I wasn’t playing either — so I was just a young kid and it was a low time for me.
Gilmour rose through the academy ranks at Chelsea but struggled to break into the first team
He would subsequently go out on loan to Norwich where he admitted he had to ‘battle’ to secure a starting spot
‘I had great people around me like Kenny McLean and Grant Hanley who really helped me through. I learned how strong I was.
‘I put a smile on my face, even though I was hurting, especially when I was living on my own in Norwich.
‘Some nights I’d be sat there thinking: “This is crap”, but that’s where my family helped me. You can only learn from that.’
Billy Gilmour fronts Men’s Health editions in Scotland. The full interview is available now for Men’s Health members on the MH app or in the magazine on sale from 21st May
