Scott McTominay eager to continue ‘making most of career’ for club and country

Scotland talisman Scott McTominay hopes the journey he is on with club and country still has a long way to go yet as he outlined his intention to keep playing at the highest level deep into his 30s.

The 28-year-old midfielder is poised to win his 60th cap in Sunday’s Nations League play-off against Greece, while he has become a key man in Napoli’s Serie A title pursuit since leaving boyhood club Manchester United last summer.

As he reflected on what appears to have been a smooth transition from Old Trafford – where he spent two decades – to life in Naples, McTominay detailed the inner desire to get the best out of himself that is allowing him to continue flourishing at the sharp end of European football.

“Both incredible football clubs,” he said of United and Napoli. “I’m very grateful for the journey that I’ve had, but I still have many more years in my career where I want to carry on improving and just making the most out of my career.

“I never want to look back whenever I retire and think that I could have given more or I could have optimised my career and had more time on the pitch than I did. That’s just a goal to improve at all costs and obviously help Steve Clarke and all the (Scotland) players while I’m here.

“For me, it’s just important to make sure that I’m always available for both club and country. It’s so important to me looking after myself and my body to have as long a career as I possibly can. I want to go really far into my 30s if it’s possible. That’s something I’ve always had a goal of doing.

“No matter what happens, I just want to make sure that I’m playing well and prepared to give my all for both club and country.”

McTominay, whose penalty in Piraeus on Thursday gave Scotland a 1-0 first-leg over Greece to protect, has become a darling of the Tartan Army, scoring 12 goals in 59 appearances and featuring at two European Championships, since his debut in 2018.

“There’s been so many,” he said when asked for a favourite moment in dark blue. “There’s been Kenny McLean’s goal away in Norway (in June 2023), which was amazing.

“My two goals at home against Spain spring to mind and obviously getting to the major tournaments. I’m just hungry for more and for this group, I feel like we can restart and kick on forward again.”

Scotland have won each of their last three matches – against Croatia, Poland and Greece – to banish the negativity that met their Euro 2024 group-stage exit. McTominay felt the backlash last summer was “a bit unjustified”.

“First of all, in the summer it was very fine margins,” said the midfielder. “The media will always say it is doom and gloom, stuff like that.

“I don’t really read the criticism or pay too much attention to it but from the general feeling from some friends, family members, other players, I feel like sometimes it’s a bit unjustified from how well Steve Clarke has done in terms of what he’s done for this whole group of players.

“He’s basically transformed us into believing that we can go and play against Spain, Germany and teams like that. He’s such a great manager and a person as well, and it helps you progress as a Scotland player.”