Former Rangers boss Mark Warburton hopes that Billy Gilmour can turn into a top class midfielder.

The Scotland and Chelsea star has emerged onto the senior scene this season.

He starred for Chelsea against Liverpool in an FA Cup clash and impressed in the Premier League before the COVID-19 shutdown.

And Warburton admits he tried to stop Gilmour from going to Chelsea from the Scottish giants, who he was with from 2009 to 2017.

"David Weir and I went to his house to try and keep him for Rangers," Warburton recalled to the Daily Mail.

"We spent time with his mum and dad, but when the big boys come calling, it's tough.

"His talent was unquestioned. I remember he played against what was a Dundee reserve side with a number of first-team players in it.

"I'm looking at Billy who was 15 and thinking there is a health-and-safety issue here because he was so slight. But he went out and absolutely ran the show.

"He had trained with us a couple of times in the first team and I am really pleased to see how he is doing now.

"What a talent. I think Scotland have a future world-class midfield player, I really do.

"I think he is going to keep on improving because he is in a great environment with Frank and Jody (Morris, assistant manager) and the players at Chelsea.

"I very much hope he can continue that progress because, if so, Scotland truly will have a world-class midfield player there.' Currently in charge of Queens Park Rangers, Warburton has a strong background in youth development from his time at Watford and Brentford."