Legendary striker Kenny Dalglish has slammed Billy Gilmour 's critics and backed him to return good for Scotland.
The younger Chelsea midfielder has taken flack after being substituted following an underwhelming show in final week's World Cup play-off defeat to Ukraine.
Charlie Nicholas was among the many most vocal critics as he slated Gilmour within the aftermath and labelled him "the following Barry Bannan".
However Dalglish insists such criticism as mere white noise and has backed the midfielder to emerge as a stronger participant after a tricky marketing campaign with Norwich.
In his Sunday Submit column, he stated: "Billy had his fair proportion of criticism after being subbed in the course of the second-half.
"Certain, it wasn’t his finest recreation for his nation. However his efficiency didn’t advantage among the detrimental response, which was means excessive.
" Steve Clarke left Billy on the bench towards Armenia, and we produced an honest efficiency to win the Nations League tie 2-0. He got here off the bench yesterday, however might do little to forestall a sore outcome.
"Now, it’s all about what Billy does sooner or later. There is no such thing as a doubt he has the flexibility and, simply as importantly, the proper perspective. So I count on his profession to proceed on an upward trajectory."
At membership degree, the 21-year-old endured a troublesome 2021/22 season as his mortgage transfer to Norwich did not go to plan as a consequence of accidents and weird staff alternatives.
And Dalglish reckons the place he finally ends up subsequent season might dictate his profession path, as he predicted one other transfer away from Stamford Bridge.
He added: "What occurs to him at membership degree this summer time is prone to have an effect on how he performs for Scotland.
"Billy broke into the Chelsea first-team two years in the past, and I bear in mind his Man-of-the-Match efficiency towards Liverpool. He was excellent.
"His identify was on everybody’s lips up and down the nation however Thomas Tuchel determined to mortgage him out to Norwich Metropolis for the 2021-22 season. It didn’t actually go to plan.
"I would like him to have a very good season at membership degree – wherever that could be – and that may see him completely prepared for Scotland.
"He is a vital a part of Steve Clarke’s plans and if we're to achieve success as a nation at soccer then we're going to want Billy on prime of his recreation.
"At 21, he's nonetheless a younger man with years and years forward of him. He might help us get to the Euros in 2024. I’ve little question about that as a result of – in contrast to the aforementioned critics – I consider in him."