Sussex

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Scotland midfielder Billy Gilmour says he has had a "really good" season at Brighton as he gears up for Friday's opening match of Euro 2024.

Gilmour made 41 appearances in all competitions for the Seagulls last season and will be looking to add to the 27 caps he already has when the Tartan Army kick off the tournament against Germany.

"I've been enjoying my football," he said. "It's probably the first season I've played back to back in so many games. I'm learning and staying strong and waiting for the opportunity - this season I'm trying to grab it.

"I just need to keep pushing myself and try to get the best out of myself every day.

"We're all getting very excited, with good spirit around the camp and in training.

"To be part of the build-up, it's been brilliant. Now we're here and we want to make it one to remember, try get out the group and see how far we can go."

Listen to Gilmour in action on Friday from 20:00 on BBC Radio 5 Live

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The transfer window opens on Friday, and we want to know what matters to you most this summer.

If you could only buy one, sell one, and loan out one player at Brighton, who would you pick?

Tell us here, external

Germany midfielder Pascal Gross, 32, is in talks with Brighton about extending his contract. (Athletic - subscription required), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

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Bundesliga 2 expert Matthew Karagich says St Pauli supporters "are absolutely devastated" at the possibility of losing their manager Fabian Hurzeler to Brighton.

Speaking to BBC Radio Sussex's Johnny Cantor, Karagich described the German manager's flexible style that helped them secure a return to the German top flight this season.

"St Pauli is not a club that is drowning in money," he said. "So what has helped is that Hurzeler is good at talent identification and development.

"He is very good at putting confidence in players.

"His flexibility reminds me more of Graham Potter than Roberto de Zerbi because he was quite fixed in what he wanted to do.

"He is very cool. For periods of the game he will just sit on the bench and observe, but then when he is on the touchline he is very animated. He has been known for having spirited discussions with the fourth official too!"

Succeeding De Zerbi, who brought European football to the club for the first time, will be difficult, but Karagich is confident Hurzeler will win the Seagulls fans over.

"St Pauli love him and not just because of the football results," he added. "It is because of the way he has integrated into the community. There was a game where he was suspended and he went in with the ultra group just because he could.

"If he is with a team then he is very much a 'this is my team' guy. The supporters are absolutely devastated at him possibly departing after such a short 18-month spell."

Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds

Brighton expect to announce Fabian Hurzeler, who guided St Pauli to promotion to the Bundesliga last month, as their new manager this week. (Guardian), external

Want more transfer stories and gossip? Read Tuesday's full column

Brighton have identified St Pauli boss Fabian Hurzeler as the leading contender to succeed Roberto de Zerbi as their manager.

We asked you whether the 31-year-old, who has only managed the German side in his career to date, is a gamble and what you think of the possible appointment.

Here are some of your replies:

Peter: Like 99% of fans, I had never heard of him before a week or so ago. But having looked at his record it seems clear that he is definitely an 'Albion' type of candidate in that he plays attractive, (and best of all) winning football in the style they have had over the past few years. Tony Bloom and Paul Barber know what they are doing!

Ali: As supporters we have a huge respect for Tony Bloom and Paul Barber to get the right man. It is not in Brighton's DNA to go and get someone on the merry-go-round of old names who are currently out of work. We choose young, innovative and exciting types of talent.

Norman: To quote some famous Match of the Day pundits - if he is good enough he is old enough! Bloom and Barber know what they are doing. As supporters, we trust them.

Martin: With the exception of Sami Hyypia, all the Brighton managers have been good appointments at the appropriate time and I think Hurzeler will be the same. We must remember this is a long-term project, though.

Jon: Bloom loves a gamble, but Herzeler could be a big risk at Premier league level. He might be good, but he is still learning his trade.

Norm: Brighton fans place their full trust in Bloom as he has the club in his heart - unlike the so called 'big six'. His judgement is invariably spot on and we continue to go from strength to strength. Yes, Hurzeler may well be a gamble but in Bloom we have one of the world's best gamblers who bases every decision on his own data analysis system.

Image source, Reuters

A Fabian Hurzeler side does not just want to beat other teams but "destroy" them, says Bundesliga 2 expert Matthew Karagich.

The German is looking increasingly likely to be Brighton's new manager following the departure of Roberto de Zerbi at the end of last season.

Currently in charge of newly promoted Bundesliga side St Pauli having taken them back to the top-flight for the first time in 13 years, Hurzeler is seen a good fit at the Amex.

"St Pauli are a very strong ball-playing team and that is one thing you will see from his teams - it is all about possessing the ball," Karagich told BBC Radio Sussex.

"You're looking at a team that will try and use its pace to get behind defences and create opportunities. The one thing that you can also add is that he likes his teams to be quite flexible.

"Sometimes they can be reactive, but very rarely is that the case. In most cases they like to dominate the game, be in control and have the foot-on-the-throat mantra. We don't want to just beat you, we want to destroy and that resembles the way he reacts on the touchline. He is very passionate."

Ex-Seagulls boss De Zerbi was known for his full-blooded displays on the touchline and a willingness to speak his mind. According to Karagich, fans could be in for more of the same from Hurzeler.

"When I was in Hannover watching the game against St Pauli, there was a period where I wasn't even watching what was going on on the pitch - I was just watching him," added Karagich.

"It's almost like ballet with the fourth official for about a quarter of the game. But he is someone who cares immensely about what is happening in the game. Some people will say 'oh, he is arrogant', but that is just his personality.

"He wants his teams to be what he is – passionate, caring, dominant, forceful and, more noticeably now, a winner."

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