IT was a season to forget for everyone connected to Norwich City as they struggled with the step up to the English Premier League, eventually dropping out of the top flight once more as they finished rock bottom of the division.
A campaign that had seemed to promise so much delivered only gloom, and perhaps no one’s experience epitomised their disappointment more than that of Billy Gilmour.
The Chelsea youngster’s arrival on loan was met with excitement by the Canaries faithful, but their relationship with Gilmour would soon turn sour as the Scotsman seemed to be made a scapegoat for their stuttering form.
The move, like the season, didn’t pan out the way anyone at the club had hoped, but from the inside, there was never any doubts about Gilmour’s ability, or the level he can go on to reach as a player.
His teammate at club level last season and for country, Grant Hanley, is certain that the 20-year-old can put that nightmare loan spell behind him, and brush off the criticism that came his way.
“To be honest it's the first I've heard of that,” Hanley said.
“I never realised any of that stuff was going on. And I'm sure Billy is mature enough not to look at that sort of stuff either.
“Whether you are right or wrong I'm not sure. All I can say Billy is a top player and has some career ahead of him.
“It's clear to see Billy is and is going to be a top, top player. Obviously he was involved in a team that got relegated so he will naturally be disappointed. But in football, as in general life, if you have a setback or go through a tough period you learn from that.
“When Billy learns from that he will come back a better player. There is no doubt in my mind he will be a top player. You see that in his performances.”
Just as with Gilmour, Hanley is glad to have the tonic of Wednesday’s World Cup play-off semi-final against Ukraine to take his mind off his domestic travails.
“Obviously it was a disappointing season with my club but I had this to look forward to in the summer, some important games with Scotland,” he said. “I'm really looking forward to it.
“We are on a pretty good run at the minute and it's up to us to keep that going. Our focus is on the next game. You can't look too far ahead of yourself.
“I know that's a bit of a cliche but it's true and it's right. if you end up thinking about what is coming up you end up getting slapped in the face.”
If all goes to plan this month and Scotland progress past Ukraine and then Wales in the play-off final, Hanley – currently on 42 appearances for his country - may end up winning his 50th Scotland cap at a World Cup.
The only focus for Hanley though is ensuring that Scotland do indeed get to Qatar, and getting as many caps as he can in the process.
“People can do that maths and that might happen,” he said. “But my mindset is just the Ukraine game.
“Personally I have never looked at goals or tried to tick boxes during my career. But playing at a World Cup is one of them. Playing at the Euros was a massive achievement for me, the rest of the lads and the nation as a whole.
“The next step for us all is to try and qualify for this World Cup which would obviously be massive for everybody.”
