Andy Walker insists Billy Gilmour has heart with Rangers amid Brighton struggles
Andy Walker believes Billy Gilmour has his heart set on a Rangers return after struggling to make an impact at Brighton since his summer move.
Gilmour came up through the Rangers academy during his childhood, spending eight years with the club before leaving for Chelsea in 2017.
The young Scotsman only made a handful of appearances for the Blues before making a permanent move to Brighton in the summer as he hunted more regular first-team minutes.
TeamTalk reported over the summer that Rangers were looking at bringing Gilmour back to Ibrox amid his Chelsea struggles, but in the end the 21-year-old chose to fight for his Premier League career on the south coast.
But with Gilmour also struggling at Brighton to stamp his authority as a starter, Walker believes he has his heart set on a move back to Glasgow.
Speaking to the Go Football Radio Show, Walker said: "He has been out of the side. I certainly think he needs to play.
"Whether he wants to come back; I think it's really difficult to leave the richest, most competitive leave in Europe when you know you can perform there.
"I think his heart is probably in Scotland with Rangers at Ibrox, but I'm not sure he would want to leave the Premier League in England."
Homecoming
Gilmour has shown glimpses of brilliance for Chelsea, Norwich City and Scotland - but he's not getting enough game time to help him fully develop.
At 21, Gilmour will now be desperate to find a permanent home willing to play him week-in-week-out and Rangers might be his best bet.
He'll feel comfortable returning to Ibrox after spending his academy years in Glasgow, and he'd add some much-needed energy and youth to what is an ageing Rangers midfield.
On top of that, Michael Beale's record of working with young players is brilliant and the new Gers boss could help him finally fulfil some of his lofty potential.
Whether it be just as a loan deal or as a permanent move, Gilmour's best chance of kickstarting his career would be with a Rangers homecoming. It'd be hard to wave goodbye to the Premier League but there are plenty of memories to be made back north of the border.