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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Ewan Paton

Billy Gilmour touted for Celtic transfer as midfielder is urged to avoid Rangers

Billy Gilmour may be Rangers through and through.

But the Scotland international has been touted for a shock transfer to Celtic.

The 21-year-old moved permanently to Brighton & Hove Albion last summer from Chelsea for a fee of around £9million.

However, he has badly struggled for game time under Roberto De Zerbi since the Italian's arrival to the Premier League club earlier this season.

Gilmour recently put in a stunning performance against Wolves, and followed it up with some good work against Manchester United to make it two wins in two for Brighton. 

But former Fulham and Man United full-back Paul Parker believes the ex-Gers academy star needs a move to continue his development at this early stage of his career.

Parker believes he is capable of still playing in the Premier League, but wouldn't rule out a move to Scotland and in particular Ange Postecoglou's Hoops due to Gilmour's style of play.

Parker told SpilXperten that a move back to Ibrox should be off the cards.

He added: "Of course, he needs to move away. I think he is able to play in the Premier League but a move to Scotland wouldn't surprise me. Probably Celtic would be the best fit for him as Rangers doesn't play the football that suits him very well."

Since moving down south to England as a young teenager, Gilmour has won 16 caps for Steve Clarke's Scotland side.

He's been heavily linked with a loan return to Ibrox under Michael Beale next season. 

It remains unclear where the Ayrshire lad will be plying his trade next term.

Meanwhile, the referee for this weekend's Rangers vs Celtic clash has been announced.

Steven McLean will take charge of the derby encounter as Ange Postecoglou's side make the short trip across Glasgow to Ibrox.

The on-field ref will be assisted by David Roome and Jonathan Bell, with Don Robertson appointed as his fourth official.

Greg Aitken will be on VAR at Clydesdale House alongside assistant David McGeachie.

Celtic are already Premiership champions having wrapped up the title away at Hearts on Sunday.

This will be McLean's first time in charge of the powderkeg derby for over six years. 

The last time he referee Rangers vs Celtic was in December 2016 where goals from Moussa Dembele and Scott Sinclair cancelled out Kenny Miller's opener at Ibrox.

More recently, he has been involved in the fixture, but on VAR duties. 

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