World Cup 2026: What is behind Scott McTominay’s understated start for Scotland?

Across his 72 caps, the Napoli hero has amassed 15 goals and two assists, but these figures do his contribution a disservice.

He has been the man for the big occasion in so many matches. His first goal was a winner back in 2021 against Israel, it was his brace that famously downed Spain at Hampden, then of course we had that night against the Danes.

Now at the World Cup, the expectation for him to turn matches – along with Tartan Army hero John McGinn – is immense.

Against Haiti, where McTominay came within a post of a stunning goal, the BBC Sport audience rated three players better than him in salmon pink, while against Morocco a rating of 5.09 had seven Scots ahead of him.

But is that fair?

Against Haiti, McTominay had a 93% pass completion – the second-highest in the starting XI – dropping to 89% on Friday night – the third-highest in the team.

He managed two shots on goal in both games, which is one more than he managed against Denmark in November, when he was a hero.

Against Haiti, McTominay covered more than 12km, the most distance of any player on the park. Against Morocco, he was only bettered by an extra 369 metres from Lewis Ferguson.

An upset stomach was the story that struck fear into the Scotland support invading Boston prior to their opener, but he still played. Did he run the show? No, yet an underwhelming Scotland still got the job done in a 1-0 win.

Against Morocco, the Scots were struck by a lightning start from the Africa Cup of Nations winners, which undoubtedly rocked them.

But, as the game progressed, from just before half-time and into the second period, their hold on the game grew firmer, albeit without the clear chances that presented themselves at the other end.