Billy Gilmour wants to show Roberto De Zerbi what he’s capable of with Alexis Mac Allister given a fortnight off following his World Cup success with Argentina.
The Scotland international is yet to start a Premier League game since he joined in the summer, but De Zerbi confirmed he will play the 21-year-old against Charlton Athletic in tonight’s Carabao Cup tie.
Billy isn’t under any illusions though, and knows when Mac Allister returns the competition for a starting spot will be even more fierce.
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“Alexis will be coming back with a World Cup medal around his neck but I am here to give myself the best opportunity of playing as many games as possible,” Gilmour said.
“It is up to the manager and how he feels but I am here to work hard and give 100% to make sure I give him a selection headache.
“I like the way Roberto plays, everything is with the ball and working on how to break the opposition down. So he suits me – I work on the ball and play through.
“It’s very good, I’m enjoying it and I am sure the boys are too. He’s very demanding, which is good. Sometimes people need that and I like that he's always on to you.”
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The Addicks are without a win in six League One outings ahead of Wednesday night’s affair, including four defeats, but Billy says nobody is taking them for granted.
“We want to do well in all the competitions we go into, snd with the team we’ve got here we know we’re capable of doing it. We want to go as far as we can.
“People might expect us to go through, but over 90 minutes anything can happen, so we will go out there, give 100% and not be slack. We need to make sure we win.”