From the moment he burst onto the scene for Scotland at Wembley at the last European Championship, it was clear that Billy Gilmour would be a skilled and stylish footballer.
Gilmour was man of the match as Scotland drew 0-0 with England and ran the show in midfield with a performance that oozed class and composure.
In what was their first appearance at international level, and having turned 20 the previous week, the Tartan Army had a new hero.
Now, three years later, Gilmour hopes to star again for Scotland when the European Championship begins against hosts Germany in Munich next month.
The cover star of a Men’s health With a special euro offer in Scotland, the little master has opened up about his interest in fashion and how he would love to make a statement for Scotland this summer.
Billy Gilmour has told how his passion for fashion helps him relax off the field.
The Scottish star has appeared in a special Euro 2024 edition of Men’s Health magazine.
Gilmour also opened up about his struggles at Chelsea, stating that he went through a trying time.
“I remember getting a phone call about Burberry (when I was a young player at Chelsea) and I immediately thought it was a solution,” the Brighton midfielder said.
‘It was something I really liked: the best people in fashion would style you and do your makeup. I’m from the west coast of Scotland; It wasn’t what I was used to.
‘It took my mind off football and, funnily enough, I found it relaxing, like doing this for Men’s Health. It’s something completely different.’
Three years ago, Gilmour rose to fame almost in the blink of an eye. His performance at Wembley was testament to a maturity that went beyond his tender age.
He is now a much more experienced operator and has established himself in the national team and also in the English Premier League.
Determined to make his mark against the Germans and get through the group stage, he said: “Playing the opening match, the first match, is something every player wants to do in a major tournament.
‘I am very, very excited to represent the country: we believe in ourselves and we can go far.
He hopes to make his mark with Scotland at this summer’s European Championship.
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 happy moments more special. “I love my football and I love my life right now.”
Now settled and established in Brighton, Gilmour finds himself in a much better position than when he endured a troubled loan spell at Norwich City in the season following the last European Championship in 2021.
At the time, on loan from Chelsea, 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 that time I didn’t enjoy it on the field.
“It didn’t look like I was going to play for Chelsea again (when I got picked for Scotland I didn’t play either), so I was just a kid and it was a bad time for me.
Gilmour rose through the academy ranks at Chelsea but struggled to break into the first team.
He would later go out on loan to Norwich, where he admitted that he had to “fight” to secure a starting position.
‘I had great people around me, like Kenny McLean and Grant Hanley, who really helped me get through. I learned how strong he was.
‘I put a smile on my face, even though I was suffering, especially when I lived alone in Norwich.
‘Some nights I sat there thinking, “This sucks,” but that’s where my family helped me. You can only learn from that.’
Billy Gilmour heads the Scottish editions of Men’s Health. The full interview is now available to Men’s Health members on the MH app or in the magazine on sale May 21.