PERTH, SCOTLAND - FEBRUARY 14: Odsonne Edouard of Celtic celebrates after scoring their team's second goal during the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership match between St. Johnstone and Celtic at McDiarmid Park on February 14, 2021 in Perth, Scotland. PHOTO BY IAN MACNICOL/GETTY IMAGES.
Scotland manager Steve Clarke has confirmed that Scott McTominay is in “perfect” condition ahead of Sunday’s World Cup Group C opener against Haiti in Foxborough.
The Napoli midfielder had been a major injury concern after being struck down by a stomach bug during training on Thursday, sparking widespread anxiety among the Scotland camp.
McTominay was kept off the team bus travelling from Boston airport to the city centre hotel as a precautionary measure to prevent the illness spreading through the squad.
He completed the short journey in a separate vehicle after being placed into a state of semi-isolation, raising further concerns about his availability for the crucial opener.
However, McTominay returned to the training pitch the following day as Clarke put his squad through final preparations at the home of MLS side New England Revolution.
Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay was among those on hand to greet the squad during their session at the facility ahead of the historic fixture.
Clarke then addressed media at the 65,000-capacity Boston Stadium, where he delivered the update that Scotland supporters had been desperately waiting to hear, describing McTominay simply as “perfect.”
The manager was equally keen to stress that the weight of Scotland’s World Cup ambitions should not fall entirely on McTominay’s shoulders, saying “I think I’ve got 26 superstars here.”
Clarke elaborated on that point, adding that “it’s not fair to put too much pressure on the shoulders of just one person” and that the squad has been built collectively over seven years of working together.
He reflected warmly on McTominay’s development, joking that “some daft coach once played Scott as a centre-half five years ago” before acknowledging that his move further forward had proven transformative for both player and national team.
Clarke made clear that delivering a positive tournament would require a full collective effort, stating that “we’re going to need another 15 to bring the same if we want to have a positive tournament.”
The manager also admitted candidly that he had not enjoyed Scotland’s previous two major tournament experiences and confirmed the players share that sense of unfinished business heading into this competition.
Clarke said: “Obviously we know the last two tournaments haven’t gone the way that we wanted the tournaments to go. We now have another chance.”
He added that the repeated qualification achievements deserve credit but acknowledged there is a strong determination within the group to finally do something meaningful at a major finals.
Clarke confirmed that defender Scott McKenna will miss the opening match against Haiti due to a minor calf injury, adding another selection complication ahead of his first ever World Cup starting lineup.
The manager acknowledged that naming that team would be a difficult task, knowing several players who contributed heavily to qualification will have to settle for places on the bench.
Clarke explained his thinking, saying the squad must embrace a collective approach: “The starting team is important but I think you’ll find in a lot of games the team that finishes is every bit as important if not even more important.”
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