Ally McCoist has rated Billy Gilmour’s prospects of a loan return to Rangers.
The club legend is doubtful as to whether Chelsea would sanction a short-term stint up north for the former Ibrox youth.
It's been stated that Steven Gerrard is keen to take the midfielder in January, with Blues boss Frank Lampard also open to the prospect.
However, Record Sport understands the 19-year-old won't be heading back to Scotland in the New Yea.
And McCoist reckons Gilmour – who started Tuesday night’s Champions League clash with Krasnador – will get enough game-time at Chelsea to sustain his development.
He told talkSPORT : “Listen, he’d certainly be involved with some very, very good players.
“Rangers midfield.... Steven Davis, Joe Aribo, Glen Kamara, Ryan Jack - excellent footballers.
“He would fit in there perfectly because he is a very good footballer himself.
“It’s whether Frank and himself would sit down and say, ‘Go up to Rangers, get some game-time’.
“I’m not sure it’ll happen because I think he’ll get game-time with Chelsea.
“Looking at last night’s performance, and clearly he’s a lad that works hard, trains hard and wants to soak in all the information that’’s coming his way.
“I’d be surprised if he doesn’t get more game-time at Chelsea.”
Lampard was asked earlier this week if he would consider sending Gilmour out on loan in January.
He said: "I don't want to have that thought or conversation until the window opens and it's not open now.
“I value him a lot in this squad. You can say we have a lot of options in this squad but that can quickly change as you’ve seen with the winger situation.
“So I don’t want to think about that until the window opens.”
