Special talent or not, I think it speaks volumes that Steve Clarke would play an untested Gilmour (at this level) in such a crucial game. He rose to the challenge. McTominay's primary role is midfield and he has a lot of experience on Gilmour, big game experience even. I can't see how his lesser role as a converted CB was more important for Scotland to have against England vs his primary role
Scott has been playing crucial games for Scotland as a RCB for a good while though. Almost if not all of the qualifying campaign to get to this tournament. Kenny McLean was starting in front of Scott in midfield but it is in no way reflective of Scott’s ability in midfield.
Do you know how rare it is that Scotland have a 6ft3 player capable of playing in defence, who is actually good on the ball. Gordon Strachan famously said a few years ago that Scotland are hindered genetically by small players (ironic with Gilmour swapping with Scott aye) - and I think to some extent this links to Clarke’s perception of Scott in his team.
It isn’t that Steve Clarke doesn’t want to play Scott in midfield with McGinn or Gilmour, it is that he is too important to leave out of that defence.
Scott will make the odd mistake in defence as you saw against England when he lost out to Sterling early on, but fortunately to my recollection he hasn’t made a mistake that has led to the opposition scoring in open play (touch wood this continues). He’s lost a man on a set piece during qualifying but he’s done that playing in midfield for United so it’s irrelevant ha. But what he does do a hell of a lot from that RCB position is ping the ball forward like none of the other CB’s can, and he can dribble out from the back (like Tierney) and take on 2 or 3 men.