Billy Gilmour was hailed as one of the big differences as Scotland put their Euros 2024 campaign on some kind of foundation.

Now he will hope it is not a case of history repeating itself as they aim for the last 16.

The Albion midfielder impressed as his side drew 1-1 with Switzerland in the second round of Group A fixtures.

A win over Norway on Sunday will take Scotland into the knockout stages for the first time.

In that respect, it is easy to see similarities with three years ago, when Gilmour shone on matchday two as Scotland drew with England after opening with a defeat.

But hopes were quickly extinguished when they then went down to Croatia and exited at the group stage.

They find themselves in the same situation going into game three, thanks to their point in Cologne.

Gilmour produced a lovely touch in the build-up to the deflected Scott McTominay strike which put Scotland ahead.

He was always confident and precise on the ball until being taken off going in the final stages.

The applause he received as he walked back to the technical area – and the thumbs up and smile he offered in return – summed up, if not a triumphant evening, then at least a positive one.

Gilmour told BBC radio after the game: “We gave everything out there.

“We knew we had to bounce back after the last performance and that puts us in a good place.

“We did well tonight and now we focus on the next.

“We are a good team. We know our strengths and tonight was more like the Scotland performances we have seen.

“In the first game, Germany were a top team, a tough opponent and tonight I think we put everything into that and you can see from the boys’ reactions.

“We believed. We have been working straight after the Germany game, straight on the training pitch and focus on Switzerland to make sure we went and did it right. It was more like us.

“Now we need to recover and get ready for Sunday.”

Gilmour was picked out for his quality on the ball as well as an early tackle which set the tone for a combative, competitive Scotland performance.

There were other differences to the opening defeat.

On of the biggest, and most conveniently overlooked amid the post-match media chat, was that Switzerland are not Germany in terms of opposition.

It was not the highest quality of matches.

Burnley’s Zeki Amdouni missed a sitter with a late header – not long after Grant Hanley hit the post for Scotland.

Angus Gunn made a fine second-half save he would probably not have made, or been allowed to make, in the Germany game.

Gilmour even tried his luck from outside the box in the second half with a shot which was travelling at pace until it was blocked by a Swiss defender.

Steve Clarke, whose decision to leave Gilmur out of his XI against Germany was questioned, said: “This is the way we have been playing as a team for the last three or four years.

“It is why we are here at a major tournament.

“I thought it was a good team performance against a good opponent.

“It was a good reaction to a disappointing night and we are still alive in the tournament.

Former Scotland winger Pat Nevin pointed out the way Gilmour speaks to team-mates throughout matches.

Nevin added: “The best of our play comes through Billy.

“Because we can play out from different areas, it develops extra space for us.

“He is extra special. We couldn’t understand he concept of him not starting in the first game.

“He showed it tonight he is a fabulous, fabulous player.

“He is very sensible, he is ‘This is what I do, I’m a top, top player’.

“He is a joy. We are very, very fortunate to have him.

“I just hope he plays in every single game we get.”

There were still observations Gilmour could pass the ball forward more often rather than always looking safe.

Maybe that is the next area he develops.

But he always wanted the ball and offered a consistent option to colleagues.

What that means from a club point of view is a player continuing to grow in stature, experience and confidence.

Which can only be good for Albion even if, as Roberto De Zerbi pointed out late in the season, he is not a direct replacement for Moises Caicedo.

But, going into the Switzerland game, there was a lot of expectation on the Albion man.

He dealt with it and delivered in a test which was tough – but not as tough as the Germany game.

Now for the next step.