Sam Stone

Thu 30 March 2023 14:10, UK

Tam McManus has claimed Billy Gilmour is a “phenomenal footballer” after being questioned on a potential Rangers return for the 21-year-old.

The former Chelsea midfielder has endured a tough 2022/23 season at Brighton and Hove Albion after his £9million summer switch (Sky Sports, 2 September).

PLZ Football Show host Peter Martin claimed (29 March) he would like to see Gilmour return to Ibrox to revive his career.

“I’d like to see him back at Rangers. Playing regularly, rather than sitting in the Premier League wasting his time when quite simply some managers don’t fancy him,” said Martin (PLZ Football Show, quoted by Daily Record, 30 March).

McManus replied: “I think it’s more the physicality down there with Billy Gilmour. I think he is a phenomenal football player but it just hasn’t worked.

“He has struggled to get into the Brighton team, and they are doing really well. He has got to play every week somewhere.”

Vital

The diminutive midfielder is now at a vital point in his career where he needs to be playing week in and week out. Sitting on the bench in Sussex is doing him no good. In fact, it’s a surprise to see the midfielder struggle at The Amex.

Brighton are known for their impeccable recruitment. A player rarely moves to the seaside club and is not a success. He’s contracted to the Seagulls until 2026, so there’s still plenty of time for him to improve, but he needs to be playing regularly.

A Rangers return cannot be ruled out in the future, but now probably isn’t the right time for the former Light Blues youngster. The Gers would have to dish out a significant transfer fee to bring him back to Ibrox and also match his Premier League wages.

It’s unrealistic to think he will return at present. Potentially an Ibrox reunion towards the back end of his career will be the route for the 21-year-old to go down.

In other Rangers news, one Bears ace has been blamed by a legendary player for an international episode that cost the club in a major way.