Exclusive: From 'anxious' to 'settled', Billy Gilmour says Brighton can now target Europa League glory - 'Why not?'
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Updated 30/11/2023 at 12:11 GMT
Billy Gilmour and Brighton travel to Athens on Thursday night for a potentially decisive UEFA Europa League clash against AEK, live on TNT Sports. The Seagulls will be guaranteed a place in the knockout stages if they win, but they were beaten the last time the two sides met on Brighton's European debut. Gilmour believes the club have gone from "anxious" to "settled" in Europe in that time.
Brighton & Hove Albion's Billy Gilmour during the UEFA Europa League 2023/24 match between Brighton & Hove Albion and AFC Ajax at American Express Community Stadium on October 26, 2023 in Brighton, England.
Image credit: Getty Images
Billy Gilmour believes Brighton have settled into their debut European campaign ahead of a high-stakes rematch with AEK Athens - and he doesn’t see why the Seagulls can’t aim for UEFA Europa League glory.
Roberto De Zerbi’s side are competing in a continental competition for the first time ever this season and head to the Greek capital on Thursday, live on TNT Sports, knowing a win would send them to the knockout stages with a game to spare.
Brighton are also looking to gain some revenge in Greece after losing 3-2 to AEK on their European debut on September 21.
“It was the first game. I remember the night very well; nervous, people didn’t know what to expect, everyone was a wee bit anxious. On the pitch, the first 10 minutes was a bit chaotic,” Gilmour told TNT Sports.
“We’re now settled in the competition; we know what to expect. We know what we can do as a team in this competition. Hopefully we can go over there and get the points we want.”
Brighton weren’t handed a simple task when the group stage draw was made for their Europa League campaign, as they were pitted in a 'group of death' with European heavyweights Marseille and Ajax, as well as AEK.
But they have impressed since that opening defeat, holding Marseille to a 2-2 draw in France before earning two consecutive 2-0 wins over Ajax.
With the knockouts within touching distance, Gilmour insists Brighton are now looking to do more than just enjoy their maiden European campaign.
“The first season in Europe as a club is amazing, it’s amazing to be part of it and the history. But we want to do well in this competition,” said the Scotland international.
“We’ve got a great squad, great players, and we know if we get it right on the day, we’re a problem for any team.
“When we saw the group, it was exciting, to go and play against these teams and players in their stadiums.
“I think as a club we know we’re in a really good position now. If we can go out there and win the game, we will put ourselves in good step for the last game.”
Asked if Brighton can go on to lift the trophy, Gilmour said: “Why not? We know what we’re capable of. Don’t get me wrong, there are great teams in there, but we’re in a good place where we want to do well.”
The 22-year-old explained that he’s hopeful that achieving the historic landmark of finishing sixth in the Premier League last season was the start of a glory era for the south coast club.
“Of course [these days] will definitely be remembered. As one of the players in the club, we want to continue this, we don’t want it to be a one-off thing,” he said.
“We want to make sure we’re competing in these competitions and qualifying each year. Of course, in the Premier League it’s tough to do that with great teams, you can see right now how tight the league is at the top.
“But we want to be pushing towards that, to try and get in these competitions as much as possible.”
Brighton currently sit eighth in the Premier League, two points outside the top six, and travel to Chelsea on Sunday.
How to watch AEK Athens v Brighton in the Europa League on TNT Sports & discovery+, TV, live stream
TNT Sports is available across all major TV platforms, offering a line-up of up to four TV channels (TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports 2, TNT Sports 3, TNT Sports 4), and up to six digital or red-button channels (TNT Sports 5 to 10), and TNT Sports Ultimate plus TNT Sports Box Office HD.
AEK Athens v Brighton will be live on TNT Sports 2 with coverage from 17:00 UK time on Thursday, November 30.
You can subscribe to TNT Sports through discovery+, BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.
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TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination. You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media
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