Scott McTominay has never been one of the headline-chasing names in British football.
He was rarely hyped, rarely treated like a generational prospect, and often spoken about as a “functional” midfielder rather than a special one.
Yet today, after years of graft, growth and determination, McTominay stands as one of Scotland’s most influential modern players — and his breathtaking overhead kick in last night’s historic victory has placed him firmly among the most important figures of this national side’s new era.
Scotland are marching toward the World Cup for the first time since 1998, and McTominay is at the heart of it. McTominay’s journey has never been glamorous.
At Manchester United he was respected but never worshipped, a player often praised for his discipline and physical presence but criticised for not fitting the “modern midfielder” mould.
He didn’t glide across the pitch like a continental playmaker, and he didn’t post social-media-ready moments of flair.
What he did offer was consistency, mentality and courage — attributes that become priceless once a team begins to rely on them.
But because he didn’t match the aesthetic expectations placed on Premier League midfielders, the biggest English clubs never seriously moved for him.
City, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea prioritised technical showpieces. McTominay was overlooked.
What they missed was obvious: he had qualities that thrive in real football, not theoretical football.
McTominay’s switch to Napoli became a turning point — arguably the most important moment of his career.
In Italy, he received something he never fully had in Manchester:
trust, freedom, and a system that highlighted his strengths rather than restricting them.
He was encouraged to break forward, he was given responsibility in high-tempo European matches, he learned the tactical detail Italian football demands, he developed into a true box-to-box presence, he became a player opponents feared, not just tolerated.
Would that have happened at the Premier League giants?
Almost certainly not. At City, he’d be a rotational option behind £60m signings. At Liverpool, he’d rotate with four or five specialist midfielders. At Arsenal or Chelsea, the pressure to conform to a specific style might have stunted him. At Napoli, he evolved into a complete midfielder.
Last night’s spectacular overhead kick wasn’t just a highlight it was a statement.
It showed confidence. It showed instinct. It showed world-class technique in the biggest moment of Scotland’s campaign.
And it immediately drew comparisons to the icons of Scotland’s golden era.
Seeing Scotland rise on the world stage again naturally brings back memories of the greats:
Colin Hendry, John Collins, Gary McAllister, Ally McCoist and the warriors of Euro ’96.
McTominay carries that same spirit.
Like Hendry, he is fearless in big moments.
Like Collins, he blends intelligence with raw physicality.
Like McAllister, he drives the team forward.
Like McCoist, he delivers when it truly matters.
The image from that era Scotland battling the Netherlands under the Wembley lights represents a time when Scotland had personalities who carried the team, McTominay belongs to that lineage. He isn’t a cameo player. He’s a leader. A force. A modern Scottish legend in the making.
McTominay is now:
A leader with European pedigree
A consistent goal threat from midfield
A physical presence who dominates battles
A player transformed by Italian football
A symbol of Scotland’s resurgence
His evolution mirrors Scotland’s own disciplined, fearless, ambitious. For years, he was underestimated. Now, he’s essential. And after last night, one thing is clear:
Scott McTominay is no longer the player big clubs overlooked he’s the player Scotland proudly stands behind.
