McTominay sent telling message by ex-Man Utd star after World Cup qualification
Scott McTominay helped inspire Scotland to a first World Cup in nearly 30 years and received congratulations from ex-Manchester United star Rasmus Hojlund, whose Denmark side had just missed out as a result
Scott McTominay helped fire Scotland to the World Cup for the first time in 28 years with ex-Manchester United ace – and now Napoli team-mate – Rasmus Hojlund congratulating him.
The midfielder scored after three minutes in the must-win clash with Denmark with a stunning overhead kick at Hampden Park on Tuesday night. Hojlund’s Danes were holding their opponents until two dramatic stoppage time goals saw the Scots claim the three points with a 4-2 win and leapfrog Denmark to top the group.
It led to jubilant scenes in Glasgow with Scotland heading to a first World Cup since 1998. Kieran Tierney put the Scots ahead with a stunning strike after 93 minutes before Kenny McLean scored from his own half with Kasper Schmeichel off his line.
McTominay has been integral to Scotland’s qualifying success with his stock going through the roof since he left Manchester and headed to Naples. He was named as the Serie A’s best player last term and has lapped up the praise – with Hojlund among them despite playing for the losing side.
McTominay posted on Instagram: “USA BABY. SCOTLAND ARE COMING”. Hojlund was quick to reply as he said: “Congrats mate. Well done”. Fellow Scot and Napoli team-mate Billy Gilmour said: “Yassssssss Scotty boy”.
READ MORE: Sir Alex Ferguson’s comments about Scott McTominay speak volumes after Scotland heroicsREAD MORE: Andy Robertson fights tears as he pays tribute to Diogo Jota after Scotland qualify for World Cup
Hojlund, like McTominay, had been able to look far more impressive since leaving Manchester and heading to Italy. The Danish forward struggled for form during his spell in the Premier League but he has looked much more confident since he headed back to Serie A.
Steve Clarke masterminded Scotland’s route to the World Cup having been in charge since 2019. The ex-Kilmarnock boss has taken the Scots to the last two Euros, albeit they failed to win games at either of those tournaments, but believes his approach has proved successful.
He said: “Really simple – what a fantastic group of players. Unbelievable. I’ve said it from the very start of my time. It took me a year, maybe 18 months, to work out the best way to go forward. If I give myself a bit of credit, I chose the right way.
“We chose more caps, more experience. When you come to a night like this, when you’re behind and struggling, and not sure it’s going to happen, I trust my players. I’ve told them so many times, I trust them implicitly.
“I woke up this morning, and as a manager you normally wake up with that tight feeling in your stomach. I didn’t have it this morning, and I thought ‘wow, that’s strange.’ I thought there was something wrong with me! But it’s because I trust my players so much.”
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