Plenty of Rangers fans have been reacting to significant news involving former underage Ibrox talent Billy Gilmour.
The 18-year-old midfielder, who left the ‘Gers for Chelsea in 2017, was promoted into the London club’s first team squad by Frank Lampard (as per chelseafc.com) on Tuesday, with the Blues boss showing strong faith in the teenager.
Gilmour’s promise has been evident since he was invited to train with Rangers’ first team squad by Mark Warburton when he was only 15 and subsequent manager Pedro Caixinha spoke with the player’s family in an attempt to keep him at Ibrox, only for Chelsea to complete a deal for him two years ago which saw the ‘Gers receive a £500,000 development fee, with potential add-ons for future milestones (as per Sky Sports).
The youngster subsequently spoke to the Daily Record about the reasons for his move, admitting that he’d have been physically bullied by more seasoned professionals in Scotland if he was fast-tracked into Rangers’ first team games and fulfilling a personal ambition to play in the English Premier League by moving to Stamford Bridge.
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After hearing of Gilmour’s elevation to Chelsea’s first team squad, these Rangers fans on Twitter have no regrets about his departure from Ibrox in 2017:
I don’t think folk realise that he was playing when the squad was an utter mess. Maybe if he was still here with Gerrard he would’ve signed a professional contract. Can’t fault him taking such a brilliant opportunity and has genuinely set his family up for life.
— Curtis (@1872Curtis) February 11, 2020
An exceptional wee player, but I’m not sure he would have been a starter in our team “at this stage” eventually, but not yet…
— KAS72 (@kevshenton) February 11, 2020
Some fans on here going tonto because Billy Gilmour has made it into the Chelsea 1st team and blaming Rangers for letting him go? Thing is he wanted to go so rangers had no choice but to sell him imo. But I hope we have a sell on percentage if they sell him.
— Jim Allan (@hariborfc) February 11, 2020
Gilmour was under 16. He made the choice himself to move on.
Barrie McKay simply wasn’t good enough💁🏻♂️
— Ross (@rfcrossko) February 11, 2020
Gilmour wanted to go, Pedro went to his house to meet his family and convince him to stay and told him he’ll be in the first team very soon don’t think u can fault him for it
— Barry Donachie (@BarryD98) February 11, 2020
Gilmour chose to go to chelsea rangers recieved compensation for him 🤷♂️
— Alan Macfarlane (@AlanMacfarlane8) February 11, 2020
Would you like to have seen Gilmour staying at Rangers or do you empathise with his decision to join Chelsea? Have your say by commenting below!
