Euro 2021: Scottish Covid-positive Billy Gilmour will be absent against Croatia

It's a real blow!

On the eve of hosting Croatia, this Tuesday in front of the 16,000 spectators of Hampden Park in Glasgow, in a decisive match for the qualification for the round of 16 of Euro 2021, Scotland will be deprived of one of his fit men.

The Scottish Federation announced on Monday that midfielder Billy Gilmour, 20, had tested positive for Covid-19.

However, the authorities have not communicated on the player's state of health. But due to health protocols, he will have to observe a ten-day isolation period. He will therefore miss the capital duel against the Croats, unhappy finalists against France in the last World Cup, and a possible round of 16. The two teams, tied with one point, are fighting to finish third in the group and win their ticket to the round of 16. Andrew Robertson and John McGinn, both of Gilmour's contact cases, are also in solitary confinement. The English selection could also fear cases within its workforce after this announcement.

We can confirm that Billy Gilmour has tested positive for COVID-19.

Having liaised with Public Health England, Billy will now self-isolate for 10 days and therefore miss tomorrow's UEFA EURO 2020 Group D match against Croatia at Hampden.https: //t.co/lRNWvckqCK

- Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) June 21, 2021

For Gilmour, this Euro is a succession of contrary emotions.

Remained on the bench during the defeat (0-2) against the Czech Republic, when the Scots entered the competition, the Chelsea midfielder was titular during the clash against England.

The recent European champion with his club had been omnipresent on the ground to hold the result draw (0-0) against the English neighbor.

Replaced in the 76th minute by Stuart Armstrong, he was elected man of the match by the European Federation.

Scotland is not the first nation affected by the virus since the start of the Euro. Two members of the Slovak delegation contracted Covid-19, including defender Denis Vavro who did not play the first match of the Euro against Sweden, in Saint Petersburg. Russia has also closed the Moscow fan-zone, in part due to the increase in positive cases.