Gilmour: ‘Very hard to say no to Napoli, McTominay grown massively’
NAPLES, ITALY - MAY 23: Scott McTominay of Napoli poses for a photo as he celebrates victory with teammate Billy Gilmour following the Serie A match between Napoli and Cagliari at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on May 23, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
Billy Gilmour admits it was ‘very hard to say no’ when Napoli approached him at Brighton, and Scott McTominay has ‘grown massively’ for Scotland too since coming to Serie A.
The midfielder followed his Scotland teammate Scott McTominay to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in the summer of 2024, making the transfer from Brighton and Hove Albion for €14.75m plus bonus.
He was part of the squad that won the Scudetto in 2025 under Antonio Conte.
Gilmour enjoying life at Napoli
“It’s an exciting League,” Gilmour told Premier Sports TV.
“When you have these big clubs from Italy who approach and say they want to sign you, it’s very hard to say no. I wanted to come here, I wanted to challenge for trophies, and be at such a great club.”
So far, the 25-year-old has made 52 competitive appearances for Napoli, scoring two goals and providing one assist.
This is despite numerous injury problems, including one that forced him to miss the 2026 World Cup for Scotland.
“There’s been a few Scots that have played in Italy, Denis Law being one, also a lot of players now would love to come to Serie A,” continued Gilmour.
Along with Lewis Ferguson at Bologna, Che Adams for Torino, Lennon Miller at Udinese, the Scotland international who made by far the biggest impact was McTominay.
He was named Serie A Player of the Year in 2025, an absolutely essential part of the Napoli Scudetto-winning team.
“Since he’s been here, Scott’s confidence has grown massively, you can see how much he means to the fans and to us as players, we can rely on him whenever we need a goal and need help. The same goes for Scotland.”
McTominay is currently out of action following heart surgery to correct a mild cardiac arrhythmia, and is expected back after the break for international duty.
“We’re missing Scott now and hopefully things went well, we can’t wait to have him back.”
Gilmour is now adapting to life under new Napoli coach Allegri, who has taken over from Conte.
“It’s a new manager at club and national team, so getting used to new formations and new ways of playing, but overall it’s exciting.”
Billy Gilmour discusses why he chose Napoli, Scott McTominay’s success, the appeal of Italy for Scottish players, and life under a new manager with the arrival of Max Allegri in Naples 🏴🤝🔵
“When you have these big clubs from Italy approach you…it’s very hard to say no” 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/NUgTOIkiGv
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) September 30, 2026
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