Barry Ferguson believes Rangers should be throwing the 'kitchen sink' at Billy Gilmour and they would be 'crazy' not to ask Brighton the question.
The 21-year-old - who he has labelled as 'truly special' - made the move from Chelsea to Brighton over the summer after Graham Potter made his play for the midfielder only to move to Stamford Bridge himself weeks later. Roberto Di Zerbi came in the door and opportunities have been very limited with Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo the preferred duo.
Ferguson believes it is time for an honest conversation with the Brighton boss and if he is not going to get regular game-time next season then he needs to plan ahead of a huge decision in the summer as he needs to get consistent games under his belt. He was part of the Scotland squad for the stunning double-header win over Cyprus and Scotland but watched on from the sidelines. A fit and firing Gilmour would make the national team even better states the ex-Rangers skipper and could be the 'real difference' for Scotland to make a mark on Euro 2024 in Germany if they reach the finals.
READ MORE: Kenny Miller on Rangers and Celtic three team rule miss as he talks Ibrox return destiny after exit
Writing in his Daily Record column, he explained: "Let’s be in no doubt - Billy Gilmour is something truly special. I’d go as far as to say he could make a real difference between Scotland just appearing at Euro 2024 in Germany and actually making a memorable mark on the entire tournament. Trust me, he’s that good.
"It looks to me as if an honest conversation is now required between the manager [Roberto Di Zerbi] and the player. If Billy is not going to get game time next season then he has to start planning ahead for a big decision this summer. And, if I was in charge of recruitment at Rangers, I’d be throwing the kitchen sink at trying to give him something to think about. They’d be crazy not to give it a shot.
"Look, it might be too rich for my old club’s blood. I’m not sure if they could match the fee Brighton will demand and they’ll certainly struggle to pay the same level of EPL wages. But it’s not about making top dollar right now. It’s about what’s best for Gilmour’s career.
"If he got the chance to showcase his quality week in, week out at Rangers he’d wouldn’t just play his way back into Clarke’s starting XI for the Euros - he’d be able to take his pick when it came to his next big transfer somewhere down the line.
"And that’s the beauty of having a man like Clarke in the national job. He has proven that, when a player is simply too good to leave out of his team, he will find a way of getting him into that line-up. He’s fixed the conundrum with Andy Robertson and Kieran Tierney. He’s found a new role for John McGinn. And he’s mixing and matching his midfield options to get the best out of them all.
"But Gilmour, fully fit and firing on all cylinders? As good as Scotland are right now, they’d be even better with Billy in that team."
READ NEXT:
- Allan McGregor Rangers future clue with veteran handed 'not finished yet' Michael Beale verdict
- Celtic hero fumes at Rangers penalty stat as referees blasted for using VAR as 'coward's way out'
- Barry Ferguson responds to Alfredo Morelos Everton shirt row as Rangers hero left baffled
