There was no shortage of criticism levelled at Scotland manager Steve Clarke in the wake of the massive anti-climax of Euro 2024.
His team had bottled it, went the narrative. He had been strangled by caution and maybe even fear. He didn’t know how to send a team out to win when it mattered.
The credit in the bank built up by reaching a second successive major finals in the wake of more than 20 years of hurt for the national side took an almighty battering. With the team’s record reading one win in 16 — against Gibraltar — ahead of a November Nations League victory over Croatia, it was in danger of running out completely.
Not in the eyes of Scott McTominay, though. And the Napoli midfielder believes the nature of the first-leg Nations League play-off win over Greece in Piraeus last week — hard on the heels of two group wins against respected opposition in Croatia and Poland — shows that Clarke still has Scotland moving forward at pace no matter what his detractors might say.
McTominay felt some of the negativity that surrounded the side’s displays in Germany last summer was just a little extreme. He certainly objected to the fact that faith in Clarke was clearly fading as he prepared to enter the final year of his contract with the Scottish FA.
And he is absolutely sure the squad will be stronger and better-prepared than ever under the former Kilmarnock manager as they prepare for the World Cup qualifiers starting in September.
McTominay has hailed the impact that Clarke has had on the entire Scotland squad
McTominay converts the winning penalty on Thursday against Greece, with the hosts having lost just twice in their 11 previous home games – to England and the Netherlands
‘I don’t really read or pay much attention to the criticism, but, from the general feeling from friends, family members, other players, then sometimes it is a bit unjustified given what Steve Clarke has done for this whole group of players,’ said the 28-year-old.
‘He has basically transformed us into believing we can go and play against Spain, Germany and teams like that.
‘If there is one game where it doesn’t come off then he still has belief in us the next time. For a player, that is crucial. He is such a great manager and person as well. He helps you progress as a player.
‘In the summer, it was very fine margins. The media will always say it is doom and gloom, stuff like that. It was such slim margins where, if you don’t take your moments in both boxes against top teams, then you are going to get punished.
‘That has probably been a big improvement. In the last game (against Greece), we defended our box so well. The way Grant Hanley and John Souttar attacked the ball and made sure we all pushed up together was so important for the team. Taking moments in both boxes is crucial.’
McTominay, of course, has his immediate focus on finishing the job against the Greeks at Hampden this evening and maintaining Scotland’s position in the top tier of the Nations League.
Having scored the penalty that secured that one-goal first-leg triumph, he will earn his 60th cap at Hampden. And he made it quite clear he is more preoccupied with future success as he was asked to recall his best memories from the 59 caps he has won so far.
‘There have been so many,’ he said. ‘Kenny McLean’s goal away in Norway was amazing and I thought he was amazing that day as well. The two goals I scored at home against Spain spring to mind, and getting to the major tournaments.
John McGinn has been a revelation under Clarke with Scotland, netting 20 times, most recently against Poland in November
‘I’m hungry for more, though, and, for this group, I think we can restart and kick on from here. It’s very important to stay where we are in this competition because we see ourselves as a very good team capable of playing against the best teams in the world.
‘For us, we have to be better against the top sides but we’re getting more confident of doing that. We feel we can play against these teams and give it a good go.’
McTominay, sensational in his debut campaign at Napoli after leaving Manchester United in a £25.7million deal last summer, was targeted by a spectator with a laser pen as he stepped up to take his crucial first-leg sport kick, but insists he was way too focused to even notice.
‘I wasn’t aware of it, to be honest,’ he said. ‘I had realised it during the game because it was being flashed around, but, for the penalty, I didn’t. You have to be focused on not let anything get in the way.’
That’s McTominay’s modus operandi and it now extends to helping nurture the club atmosphere in the Scotland camp that will make it straightforward for the next generation of players — such as Lennon Miller and James Wilson — to make their way through.
‘The development (in this squad) has been massive,’ he said. ‘We’ve had a lot of different players over the years but there has been that core of more senior players as well. We have young players coming in, too.
‘Lennon and James have been a breath of fresh air. They’re good kids who have a bit about them as well. They have personality and you need that to come and play for Scotland.
‘I love seeing young boys come in full of confidence wanting to prove they’re ready to play and, in my opinion, they’re more than good enough.
‘I know the standards required to come to play for Scotland. I know the responsibilities players have to take on board to improve, get to major tournaments and get out of the groups at the next one, hopefully.’
McTominay enjoyed playing alongside Napoli team-mate Billy Gilmour on international duty last week and has taken great delight in seeing the former Rangers and Chelsea prodigy get more starts for Antonio Conte’s side of late as they bid to keep battling Inter for the Serie A title.
‘Billy is such a great player. Whenever he has come into the team in Naples and, obviously, when he has played so much here, he has been a breath of fresh air,’ said McTominay. ‘He is technically gifted and he makes such a difference to the team because he is so calm.
‘We have a really good relationship. We spend a lot of time with each other, go for dinner a lot and he is almost like a little brother to me now.
‘We had a great relationship before we went to Italy, but we spend a lot of time together now. He is a great kid and he has got so much ability. You don’t even notice at times how good a player he is.’
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