The 20-year-old midfielder has become a key part of the Scottish national team under the management of former Chelsea defender and assistant coach Steve Clarke during a breakthrough 12 months at international level.

Since being named Man of the Match on his first senior start for his country, in the 0-0 draw with England at Euro 2020 last summer, Gilmour has only missed one game for Scotland, when he was ruled out of their last group game at that tournament due to Covid.

He has started eight of their nine fixtures in that time, helping his country to their current run of eight games unbeaten. He also featured regularly as Scotland reached the qualification play-offs for the 2022 World Cup with seven wins from 10 games in their group.

Scotland will host Ukraine in the play-off semi-finals in June, with a potential final against Wales later that month, as they attempt to reach the World Cup for the first time in 24 years.

Scotland’s Men’s International Player of the Year award is given out by the Scottish Football Writers’ Association, with the shortlist and winner being decided by the country’s journalists.

The other nominees in contention are veteran Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon, Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney, centre-forward Lyndon Dykes of Queens Park Rangers and Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn – the current holder who could set a new record by becoming the first person to receive the honour for a third time.

Gilmour, who would become the first Chelsea player to win the award, is currently continuing his development on loan at Norwich City, where he has made 22 appearances this season, 18 of them in the Premier League.