Billy Gilmour makes Rangers admission ahead of Brighton and Hove Albion Europa League adventure
Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Billy Gilmour admits he was hoping to draw former side Rangers in the Europa League group stage.
The Seagulls are competing in Europe for the first time in their history, having finished sixth in the Premier League last season to qualify.
Rangers dropped into UEFA’s secondary club competition after failing to qualify for the Champions League via the qualifying rounds.
As Brighton prepare to take on AEK Athens on Thursday [21 September], Gilmour’s excitement is only tinged by the fact his side will not be facing Rangers – not yet, at least.
“I still watch Rangers if they’re on, and when I’m with the national team I’m always speaking to John Souttar and Ryan Jack who tell me what’s happening at the club,” he told talkSPORT [8m 59s].
“It’s disappointing they never made the Champions League and I was hoping we could have got them [in the Europa League].
“I think most of my family would have been in the Rangers end, with my dad in the Brighton end.”
May still yet meet
Gilmour’s association with Rangers is well known, having been included in a couple of senior squads after emerging through the club’s youth ranks.
But before the central midfielder could make a name for himself at Ibrox, he was snapped up by Chelsea at the age of 16.
Now at Brighton, it is good to see the Scotland international thriving under the coaching of Roberto De Zerbi.
It was only a few months ago that Rangers were being linked with Gilmour as he struggled to get going on England’s south coast.
Given he is now a regular for a Brighton side on the up and up, it is fair to say those rumours are now dead and buried.
Gilmour may well get his wish a few months down the line in playing against Rangers, though, should both sides advance to the knockouts.
For that to happen, the Gers must first progress through a group that contains Real Betis, Aris Limassol and Sparta Prague.
Fingers crossed for a positive start on Thursday [21 September] when the campaign begins with the visit of Betis.
In other Rangers news, a first-team regular has shared an update on an injury sustained last week.