Billy Gilmour reckons the hell of ten days locked in a hotel room during the Euros has fired up his football ambitions.
The Scotland midfielder insists he had to quit Chelsea – where he played just 11 times last season - and go to Norwich on loan to play games and start to fulfil his potential.
The 20-year-old had his Euros ruined when he caught COVID after his brilliant performance against England.
Gilmour made his Hampden Park debut in Saturday's win over Moldova and is set for another start in the crunch clash with Austria on Tuesday. He has played in all of Norwich's games this term.
The on loan Norwich youngster said: “When I got told I was positive I was gutted. I still have no idea where I got it from.
"It was a long 10 days. I wasn't allowed to train. I couldn't do anything. I just had to stay in my room and watch TV. That was it. There was football on the TV so I got to watch that.
"From the high of Wembley, to a low that quickly, was hard. I was gutted. It just made me hungrier to come back.
“For Scotland I want to prove why we should be going to the World Cup.
“And being at Norwich is massive for me. I wanted to go on loan and get a lot more experience of first team football. I feel a lot fitter and I feel a lot stronger playing week in, week out. I am feeling stronger.”
“Hopefully there is a lot more to come for sure. I want to keep improving and building on myself – and adding goals.
“I need to go into each game and prove why I should be picked and why I should start in the team. I need to keep improving and improving.”
Gilmour turned in a fearless performance at Wembley, and already looks like he can become Scotland's creative gem.
He was voted man of the match against Moldova and Austria is now a must-win game to push back into the top two in Group F.
Gilmour added: “To walk out at Hampden for the first time was a special night. It is one I will remember. My family were here watching so overall it was a good night.”
“I want to represent my country. I love coming away here. They are a good group of boys and we have a good manager and we are looking to go to the World Cup. We want to do something special.
“We can start passing the ball and creating more chances. But we need to be clinical in front of goal. It is something we have been lacking, especially in the Euros.”
“We are all looking forward to the Austria game. It is going to be a tough test, but we are ready and we want to go and win.”
