Scotland manager Steve Clarke has admitted he is deeply concerned about the fitness of midfielder Billy Gilmour following a worrying injury scare.
Gilmour was forced to hobble off the pitch during Scotland’s match against Curacao, a game played on the eve of the World Cup.
The timing of the injury could not have been worse for Scotland, with the tournament just around the corner and preparations already in full swing.
Clarke did not hold back when asked about the situation, making clear just how serious the concern is within the Scotland camp.
The Scotland boss described himself as “100 per cent worried” about Gilmour, signalling that the injury is being taken very seriously by the coaching staff.
Clarke also revealed he is “praying” that Gilmour will be able to make it to the World Cup, underlining the importance of the midfielder to his plans.
Gilmour’s ability to recover in time remains unclear, and the Scotland camp will be anxiously monitoring his condition over the coming days.
The midfielder’s involvement in the World Cup is now in serious doubt, casting a shadow over Scotland’s preparations for the tournament.
Losing Gilmour at such a critical stage would represent a significant blow to Clarke’s options in the middle of the park.
Scotland will be hoping for positive news on Gilmour’s condition as the nation prepares for what is a historic and highly anticipated World Cup campaign.