Scott McTominay faced heavy marking against Haiti, and Scotland hopes Morocco will not replicate that tactic. The Napoli midfielder, described as a 'talisman,' has the motivation to make an impact on the World Cup. Steve Clarke emphasizes squad mentality before the Morocco game, but McTominay's goals stand out.
McTominay's Rise at Napoli
A conversation in Milan resonates in Massachusetts. Italy's failure to qualify for another World Cup has triggered harsh assessments of Serie A, including a shortage of impactful home players. The success of imports, with marginally above-average talent, supposedly reflects decline in Italian football. It would be harsh to place Scott McTominay in that category. The 29-year-old's sharp career trajectory since leaving Manchester United for Napoli shows a player underappreciated at his youth club. McTominay left Manchester with a point to prove and did so emphatically, winning the title and being named Serie A's most valuable player in 2025. Should he leave Naples, where he is adored, he will not lack Premier League options.
Scotland's World Cup Journey
Walking near Hampden Park reveals McTominay's standing as a Scotland player. Kenny Dalglish and Denis Law have never been depicted on portraits on gable ends near the national stadium. McTominay, born in England, produced an iconic moment against Denmark last November that will remain an artistic reference point. That game summed up Scotland's path to the World Cup: Denmark were stronger for long spells, Greece were superior in Glasgow but lost 3-1, Scotland lost in Athens and stumbled past Belarus. There were high points in a campaign that ended Scotland's 28-year World Cup wait, but also oddities. McTominay's overhead kick was one of three extraordinary goals as 10-man Denmark were beaten 4-2. Searching for clusters of excellent Scotland displays in recent competitive matches is not easy. The same applies to McTominay.
McTominay's World Cup Chance
History and the lack of emerging talent in Scotland suggest this could be McTominay's World Cup chance, certainly his best. Similarly for John McGinn (31), Andy Robertson (32), and Ché Adams (29). The motivation for this experienced group to make an impact on football's biggest stage must be huge, working in Scotland's favor. Perhaps McTominay feels he has no more questions to answer. Watching him toil as Scotland squeezed past Haiti raised questions. For Scots, it brought back memories of Euro 2024, where team failure owed to underperformance of star turns. When Scotland faces Morocco in the Boston Stadium on Friday, hope rests heavily on McTominay's shoulders.
Clarke's Squad Ethos
Steve Clarke bristles at the notion of McTominay as different from any other player. The 62-year-old has taken Scotland to three tournaments while building a club ethos. Players look along to teammates in the dressing room rather than up or down. However, it is impossible to ignore McTominay's status among a squad with plenty of decent members and few elite level. "Scott is one of our key players," says Clarke. "I am lucky, I have got a lot of key players. Andy Robertson, John McGinn. For me Grant Hanley, Kenny McLean, people like that. We have built a really good squad over the years. Scott gets a lot of headlines but he is also the first to understand that without the help of his teammates it is more difficult for him to be that talisman. If he can be a talisman against Morocco, then that would be great. As a coach I am very reluctant to go on about individuals. Everything we have built has been our squad."
Hope for More Space Against Morocco
Hope springs from the likelihood that McTominay will be afforded more time and space against Morocco than against Haiti, who swarmed him. In fairness, his quiet game included hitting a post, and his lead-up was disrupted by an upset stomach. "I think the Haiti game was a struggle for a lot of the players, not just Scott," says Clarke. "I thought Haiti controlled our midfield very well so you have to give credit to them. Sometimes you don't get the chance to bring your attributes to the game because of what the opposition do. I think that might have been the case the other night. Scott is in a good place and ready to go again." If Clarke reverts to a lone striker, there will be heavy reliance on midfielders to provide goal threat. Scottish chances will come at a premium against a side ranked sixth in the world. McTominay, who has scored 15 times in 71 Scotland appearances, will need to be at his ruthless best. Clarke used pre-match media duties to rave about Morocco's individual and collective abilities. Scotland's hopes of causing the latest upset in this riveting tournament rely heavily on their difference maker. Now has to be McTominay's time.
