Billy Gilmour: Scotland midfielder ruled out of World Cup with knee injury

The midfielder made his Scotland debut as a half-time substitute for Tyler Fletcher and Clarke confirmed the 19-year-old is one of the possible replacements for Gilmour.

The Manchester United player, son of former Scotland captain Darren, is one of four youngsters training with the squad this week.

None of them are in the squad for the World Cup matches against Haiti, Morocco and Brazil; Rangers’ Conor Barron, Sparta Prague’s Andy Irving and Udinese’s Lennon Milller, whose name was also mentioned by Clarke, are also not included in the squad.

“Those three are ready and obviously Tyler joined us this week,” he said. “He’s had good training this week so he’s a bit closer to the other three, but I need to have a big discussion with my team and decide the best way to go.”

Fletcher, whose twin Jack plays football for the England national team, made his debut for his father’s former club in February and also featured in the final game of the season against Brighton.

Former Scotland winger Neil McCann told BBC One Scotland that Clarke looked “really good” in the holding role.

Clarke replied: “Everyone was impressed; the players were impressed, the coaches were impressed, there was no doubt about it.

“I actually thought about bringing him in as Billy was coming out, but I thought I should have a look and see how the game turned out before introducing him at half-time.”

Scotland midfielder Kenny McLean played alongside Darren Fletcher at the start of his international career and said he “couldn’t speak highly enough” of Tyler.

“I said to the boys after the first session, I could see something special in him, so I’m glad he did well today. He deserved it after the week he’s had,” the Norwich City midfielder said.

“Darren stood out in my first session with Scotland. Luckily for us his son is very similar to him. There’s a lot of potential, it’s just a matter of using it in the right way.”