The 24-year-old sustained the injury during Scotland\u2019s 4-1 friendly victory over Cura\u00e7ao at Hampden Park on Saturday and was subsequently withdrawn from head coach Steve Clarke\u2019s World Cup squad.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In an emotional message posted on Instagram, Gilmour admitted he was struggling to come to terms with missing the biggest tournament of his career.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI haven\u2019t got the words to describe how I\u2019m feeling right now. Being so close to a childhood dream of mine, to play in a World Cup, and now it has been taken away from me with an injury. It\u2019s been a tough one to get my head around,\u201d Gilmour wrote.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The midfielder also thanked supporters for the messages he has received since the news was confirmed.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cYour support and kind messages over the last few days mean the world to me and haven\u2019t gone unnoticed, so thank you so much. I\u2019ll see you all back doing what I love again soon, but until then, let\u2019s get behind the team and cheer them on. Come on Scotland!\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The injury is a major blow for Scotland, with Gilmour having been one of the key figures in the side\u2019s successful qualification campaign. The Napoli midfielder was expected to play a central role in Clarke\u2019s plans for the expanded 48-team World Cup, which begins later this month.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Scotland football team earlier confirmed that Gilmour, who is out of the World Cup due to injury, would return to his club to begin rehabilitation.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The injury is a major blow for Scotland, with Gilmour having been one of the key figures in the side\u2019s successful qualification campaign. The Napoli midfielder was expected to play a central role in Clarke\u2019s plans for the expanded 48-team World Cup, which begins later this month.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Scotland have already named 19-year-old Tyler Fletcher, son of former Scotland captain Darren Fletcher, as Gilmour\u2019s replacement in the squad after the Manchester United youngster made his senior international debut against Cura\u00e7ao.<\/p>\r\n\r\n