SCOTLAND assistant Steven Reid has insisted that Billy Gilmour is capable of forcing his way into Steve Clarke’s side at the Euro 2020 finals – and predicted the national team will receive a huge lift if they have a Champions League winner involved.

Chelsea midfielder Gilmour, who is uncapped at full international level, was named in Clarke’s 26 man squad last week after both Ryan Jack and Kenny McLean, who had been regulars during qualifying, suffered injuries.

But Reid, speaking from La Finca in Spain where Andy Robertson and his compatriots got their preparations for the tournament underway yesterday, acknowledged the teenager could easily be involved in the Group D games with the Czech Republic, England and Croatia.

The former Rangers kid will be in the Stamford Bridge club’s squad for the Champions League final against their English rivals Manchester City in the Estadio do Dragao in Porto this evening and is hoping to be feature.

He will join up with his countrymen in Portugal next week and could make his debut for his country in the first pre-tournament friendly against the Netherlands on Wednesday night.

Scotland coach Reid, who played for the Republic of Ireland in the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea after being left out of the original squad, is certain the 19-year-old is good enough to be involved.

“I’m sure we’ll all be watching (the Champions League final),” he said. “The coaches will certainly be watching. I’m sure everyone will be tuning in. 

“It would be amazing to have another Champions League winner joining the squad. I remember it with Andy when Liverpool had their Champions League success and even their league success. 

“It does bring a real buzz to the squad. Players are obviously proud of the individuals who get to finals like that and pick up silverware.  I think that rubs off on the squad in general. It’s great to have guys playing at that level, setting an example, leading by that example. 

“When you’re winning in these elite competitions, that can only drive standards in the whole camp, raise everyone’s games. So it would be fantastic if Billy could become a Champions League winner. 

“It’s obviously disappointing for Scott (McTominay) that he ended up on the wrong side of penalties with United (Manchester United lost the Europa League final on penalties to Villareal on Wednesday night). But it’s great to have players performing in these huge games for top clubs. 

“It’s about having that strength in depth, players who are at real top clubs – and they’re not just there, they’re performing at a really top level. We saw that especially with Scott in that midfield position the other night.” 

Asked if Gilmour was capable to forcing his way into the Scotland team for Euro 2020, Reid said: “There’s no reason why not. Obviously, he is here on merit. 

“I go back to when I went to the World Cup in 2002. I was on the stand-by list for the Republic, originally. So I was a late entry to the group. But I was the first sub to come off the bench in the very first game against Cameroon. 

“So you never know. We’ve obviously had a couple of injuries in that position, as well, with Ryan Jack and Kenny McLean. It’s disappointing for them but sometimes these things happen, an opportunity opens up for someone else. 

“We’ll see how the camp goes, see how the friendly games go, and who knows? He’s there on merit and everyone has a chance of being involved.”