Billy Gilmour gets Scotland call for Euro 2020; Batshuayi still in with Belgium

Billy Gilmour may have just 11 appearances this season — to go along with 11 appearances last season, his first season in professional senior football — but many of those appearances have been of the highest quality, which surely makes the 19-year-old one of the best midfielders available for the Scotland national football team already.

And Scotland head coach (and Chelsea legend) Steve Clarke has agreed, despite Gilmour’s inexperience, lack of minutes, and lack of any actual senior caps. Billy G is one of two teenagers and one of three uncapped players who are part of the 26-man squad for Euro 2020, as announced this morning.

GOALKEEPERS: Craig Gordon (Hearts), David Marshall (Derby), John McLaughlin (Rangers)

DEFENDERS: Liam Cooper (Leeds), Declan Gallagher (Motherwell), Grant Hanley (Norwich), Jack Hendry (Celtic), Scott McKenna (Nottingham Forest), Stephen O’Donnell (Motherwell), Nathan Patterson (Rangers), Andy Robertson (Liverpool), Greg Taylor (Celtic), Kieran Tierney (Arsenal)

MIDFIELDERS: Stuart Armstrong (Southampton), John Flenck (Sheffield Utd), BILLY GILMOUR (Chelsea), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Callum McGregor (Celtic), Scott McTominay (Manchester Utd), David Turnbull (Celtic)

FORWARDS: Ryan Christie (Celtic), James Forrest (Celtic), Ryan Fraser (Newcastle), Ché Adams (Southampton), Lyndon Dykes (QPR), Kevin Nisbet (Hibernian)

This is Scotland’s first major tournament in over two decades, since playing at Euro 96 and the 1998 World Cup, which makes it even cooler that Gilmour gets to partake, even if he might not play much.

Another Chelsea player who might not play much but will still get to go is loanee Michy Batshuayi, who’s had an incredibly underwhelming season at Crystal Palace, but has also been in great form for his national team, so he’s been included by Roberto Martinez in the 26 for the Euros.

Old pals Eden Hazard, Thorgan Hazard, Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne, and Snakey McSnakerson are all there as well, with Belgium ready to challenge once again after reaching the quarterfinals in 2016 and finishing third at the 2018 World Cup.

GOALKEEPERS: Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid), Simon Mignolet (Club Brugge), Matz Sels (Strasbourg)

DEFENDERS: Jan Vertonghen (Benfica), Toby Alderweireld (Spurs), Thomas Vermaelen (Vissel Kobe), Thomas Meunier (BVB), Jason Denayer (Lyon), Dedryck Boyata (Hertha Berlin), Leander Dendoncker (Wolves), Timothy Castagne (Leicester)

MIDFIELDERS: Axel Witsel (BVB), Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City), Nacer Chadli (Istanbul Basaksehir), Yannick Carrasco (Atlético Madrid), Youri Tielemans (Leicester), Thorgan Hazard (BVB), Dennis Praet (Leicester), Hans Vanaken (Club Brugge)

ATTACKERS: Eden Hazard (Real Madrid), Dries Mertens (Napoli), Romelu Lukaku (Inter), Christian Benteke (Crystal Palace), MICHY BATSHUAYI (Chelsea), Jérémy Doku (Rennes), Leandro Trossard (Brighton)