Rangers legend Brian Laudrup is backing Chelsea midfielder Billy Gilmour to return to Ibrox on loan in the summer if he doesn’t get enough game time with the Premier League club.

There was some speculation that the 19-year-old would be allowed to leave in January but new Blues boss Thomas Tuchel reportedly decided to keep him for the remainder of the campaign.

However, Gilmour has not made an appearance under Tuchel so far and Laudrup believes Chelsea should be open to loaning him out to Rangers so he can get the experience he needs at first-team level:

“From Gilmour’s point of view, there could be Champions League group stage football on offer. That would be another incentive for his development. Also, while some people in England might talk negatively about Scottish football at times, I don’t think you could find a better place than Rangers to get game time and play in the right style of football.”

“That’s crucial. People at Chelsea would know the technical type of play Gerrard demands of his team. To me, that kind of situation would be a win-win for everyone. Whether it’s possible, I really don’t know. We’ll find out in three or four months’ time, perhaps. But just as an idea, it carries an appeal.”

As Laudrup points out, a move would be massively beneficial to the player’s development, especially if the Gers do qualify for the group stages of the Champions League next season.

On top of that, he would be comfortable playing in familiar surroundings whilst he can learn off one of the most talented midfielders of the past 20 years in Steven Gerrard.