CHRIS HAMILTON always knew that Scotland star Billy Gilmour was destined for the top during their time together in age group squads.

The Pars vice-captain is delighted with the progress that the current Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder, who is in line to start for the national side in their Euro 2024 opener on Friday, has made.

Hamilton and Gilmour, both 22, lined up together for Scotland under-21s at the Toulon Tournament in 2018.

A squad that also included current Dunfermline forward, Craig Wighton, as well as Anthony Ralston, Greg Taylor and Ryan Porteous - who are, alongside Gilmour, in Steve Clarke's squad for the Euros - reached the semi-finals.

They lost to England, before being beaten by Turkey on penalties in a third place play-off.

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Hamilton, whose three under-21 caps came in that competition, was already aware of Gilmour's talent and provided an insight into his development when he featured in a Scotland National Team YouTube documentary charting his footballing journey.

In the first episode of the new, official Dunfermline Athletic club podcast, 'Inside Athletic', Hamilton recalled: "I played against him a lot.

"He obviously went to a performance school (SFA performance schools) as well so, when we did those wee festivals against each other, I played against him.

"I always knew he was a very good player and then I started playing with him at Scotland. Then, throughout the age groups, I just saw him get better and better, and that's when you knew he was going to be a very good player.

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"I didn't realise how good and how big he was going to become so quickly, but that Toulon tournament was probably the first time I realised he could probably go on and do whatever he wants in the game.

"He just had that ability that was frightening. He had that character that he thought, and knew, he was as good as anyone else, and I think that's what it takes to go to the next level, and play at the level he's at just now.

Pars player Chris Hamilton reckoned his old team-mate, Billy Gilmour, was always going to be a star. Pars player Chris Hamilton reckoned his old team-mate, Billy Gilmour, was always going to be a star. (Image: SNS)

"He's a very good player and a very good boy as well.

"I spent a lot of time with him at the Toulon tournament, shared a room with him and got on with him really well.

"I'm delighted how well he's doing."

Hamilton's call-up for that tournament came just after he had made his first team debut for Hearts, around two weeks before Scotland's first game.

He joked: "I think half of Scotland must've been away on holiday or injured or something like that! It was crazy.

"I had made my debut and I was getting ready for a bit of chill time, go on holiday and enjoy my summer, and then I got a phone call.

"I think it was from Kirsty Mullen at Scotland, just to say I'd been called up to the 21s, and we were going away to France for the Toulon tournament.

"To be fair, at that stage I didn't know the ins and outs of it, but it was an unbelievable experience.

"It was such a big tournament, playing with good players, and that was a crazy point in my career."

Hamilton was speaking to Inside Athletic, hosted by Pars fans Andrew Morrison and David Buick, that aims to give fans the chance to get to know their favourite players, coaches and special guests on a more personal level.