Former Scotland captain Gary McAllister believes Scott McTominay has all the tools needed to make a major impact at this summer’s World Cup in North America.
McAllister says he still cannot fathom why Manchester United allowed the combative midfielder to leave for Napoli two years ago.
McTominay has since gone on to win the Serie A title and the league’s footballer of the year award in his debut Italian season, before lifting the Supercoppa Italia the following year.
He added a 16th international goal to his tally in Scotland’s impressive 4-0 victory over Bolivia on Saturday, underlining his importance to the national setup.
McAllister said: “I don’t think anybody thought he would go and take over Serie A like he has.”
The former Liverpool, Leeds and Coventry playmaker added: “I never quite understood why Manchester United let him go — the guys that are brought up there, it’s in their blood, so it was always a big surprise.”
McAllister also pointed to the cultural transformation McTominay has undergone since relocating to Italy, suggesting it has made him a more rounded footballer and person.
McAllister noted that Lewis Ferguson is also thriving in Serie A, attracting interest from top clubs, and said the experience both players are gaining abroad can only strengthen Scotland’s collective effort.
He said: “The fact that we’ve got three or four of our elite players playing in big, big clubs across Europe with high expectations is a good sign.”
McAllister himself missed Scotland’s last World Cup appearance through an ACL injury, but served in a quality midfield alongside John Collins, Craig Burley and Paul Lambert during the 1990s under Craig Brown.
He believes the current crop of Scottish midfielders available to Steve Clarke is every bit as strong as that celebrated generation.
Having worked alongside John McGinn at Aston Villa as assistant to Steven Gerrard, McAllister witnessed first-hand the qualities that make the midfielder such a vital figure for his country.
He said: “At Villa, McGinn jumped out at us as the natural leader of the group — not the most talented, but he makes a difference by saying hello to everybody, being friendly with the groundsman, the kit lady, the chefs.”
McAllister added: “He had a manner in the way he conducted himself about the place. He was liked and he was very, very humble.”
Scotland face Haiti first in their group, before testing clashes against Morocco and Brazil, and McAllister feels the draw has fallen kindly for Clarke’s side.
He said: “My immediate thought is the sequencing of the games — they’ve fallen really nicely for Scotland.”
McAllister believes securing three points against Haiti early on could prove decisive, with goal difference likely to play a role as the group stage unfolds.
He added: “The ideal scenario would be going into the Brazil game in Miami already qualified,” highlighting just how much belief now surrounds this Scotland generation.
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