A return to Rangers would be too good to turn down for Billy Gilmour, according to BBC Radio 5 Live pundit Alan Hutton. 

The Lowdown: Lacklustre 

Given the expectations surrounding a player with Gilmour’s potential, the 21-year-old’s spell in England has been lacklustre to say the least. 

Having made the jump from the Rangers reserves to Chelsea, he successfully navigated his way to the first team but could not progress any further. 

A failed loan spell at Norwich City did the starlet no favours, whilst a shock summer switch to Brighton has not worked out as of yet either.

The Latest: Gilmour’s return

Rather than being shipped out on loan to yet another Premier League side, Hutton believes Gilmour would benefit by spending time in a different league, specifically back at Rangers. 

Asked whether the 21-year-old could be persuaded to make a return to Scotland, Hutton told Football Insider: “I do not think you turn anything down.

I think he will have to think about where his career is going at this moment in time. It has been difficult for him. He is an excellent player, he is still very young.

It did not work at Chelsea, going to Brighton he has not had much game time so he needs to do what is best for him moving forward and that is playing football.

“There is no point in him leaving on loan to go to another Prem team. The opportunity to come back home, play in a top team in front of 50,000 every other week could be a good opportunity for him to shine and show everybody how good he is.

The Verdict: Gilmour’s got to go

Scotland international Gilmour has made just four appearances in the Premier League since his surprise permanent switch to Brighton, and whilst you can blame a manager switch to some extent, former boss Graham Potter did not start him either. 

At this stage in his career, minutes are vital, so to have played 13 minutes in the league is a worrying sign.

This is now a second team to not feel he is ready to impact them as a starting player, which suggests that the starlet should look for an opportunity elsewhere. 

A move back to the familiarity of Scotland could do £2m-per-year Gilmour wonders, particularly at his boyhood club, though a pay cut would surely be required.