Frank Lampard says he almost spilled his drink when he heard Roy Keane's praise for Chelsea youngster Billy Gilmour last year.
The 20-year-old made a big impact in a pair of encounters against Everton and Liverpool back in March 2020, and despite not featuring as regularly as he might have hoped since then, the young midfielder earned a call up to Scotland's Euro 2020 squad this summer.
Gilmour shone under Lampard's tutelage in the former Chelsea star's first year as manager at Stamford Bridge, and Keane took particular note of the fine displays.
"From his performance the other night, he was fantastic," Keane said last year. "As the game started I literally got out of my seat, which I very rarely do, and I thought, ‘Who is this kid?’
"There are certain traits you want from a midfielder, quality on the ball, football intelligence, composure.
"He had everything, it was one of the best performances I have seen in a long, long time.
“The downside for the kid now is he’s got to back it up. It’s a different kind of test for him now to back it up…
"Just his general play I thought it was like a world class player. That’s what he looked like straight away.
"I thought it was one of their experienced lads and then I kept a close eye on him for the rest of the game and everything he done throughout the game just had quality written all over it.
"Obviously he’s a small kid but he has a big composure about him and I’m looking forward to seeing him again today."
Lampard says he agrees with Keane's comments about Gilmour, but admits he was slightly shocked to see such high praise coming from the notoriously hard to please former Manchester United captain.
"I had to put my cup of tea down to hear Roy say something nice!" Lampard joked on Sky Sports.
"Roy Keane was a fantastic midfield player and he probably won’t give credit unless it’s due – and it certainly was due.
"And he’s right, I heard the statements he made about Billy and I think he’s spot on."
