Scotland is on the verge of qualifying for a European Championship for the fourth time. In Spain, the team can already book their ticket for EURO 2024 on Thursday (October 12, 2023) – and is relying primarily on the new goalscorer Scott McTominay.
Until the end of March, Scott McTominay was still a player known to his opponents primarily for his robust gait. The captain of the Scottish national team was the prototype of his homeland’s style of play: in 37 international matches he had seen eight yellow cards but only scored one goal. But then the Manchester United professional found his new calling.
Scotland won five out of five games in the European Championship qualification and McTominay actually scored half of all twelve goals. While his quota was previously one goal from 37 games, he now put his homeland on the road to EURO 2024 in Germany with six goals in five games. And Spain, the Scots’ next opponent, also painfully remembers goalgetter McTominay.
Scottish Legend formation thanks McTominay
On March 28, the British inflicted a painful defeat on the Iberians. Spain had 75 percent of the ball, but Scotland had the big chances and, in McTominay, the hero of the 2-0 win. The defensive midfielder scored both goals, both times coming from the edge of the penalty area after quick attacks and scoring. “As a child I was an attacking midfielder – I like going into the box. I have to keep doing that and I know I can score and prepare more goals” McTominay said at the time.
But even more important to him is how much he gives Scotland with his goals. “Look at this – I’ve never seen anything like it“said McTominay after Spain’s triumph, completely overwhelmed by the atmosphere at Hampden Park in Glasgow.”Our coach said that we can become legends today – these are evenings that people will remember in 20, 30 years.“
Spain annoyed by the Scottish style of play
And this evening will play an important role in ensuring that frenetic Scottish fans will be busy planning their trip to Germany next summer – the tournament runs from June 14th to July 14th. Your team only needs one win to secure qualification for the European Championship. And it would be a crowning achievement if it were achieved in the second leg in Spain on Thursday, of all places, where McTominay and Co. became legends in the first leg.
Even back then, the Spaniards made it clear right after the final whistle that this was also something personal for them. “The way they play football is rubbish for me. Always playing for time, provoking, letting go – that’s not football for me” complained midfield director Rodri. “We always fight, but this isn’t about fighting. It’s about wasting time. But it is what it is. They have their weapons, we have our weapons – and we will learn for next time.“
McTominay also in goal mood at Man United
This also includes the learning effect that the greatest danger comes from McTominay. And if the Spaniards have forgotten that, the 26-year-old must have impressively reminded them of it last weekend. In the Premier League, shortly after coming on as a substitute, McTominay shot his Manchester United team from a 1-0 deficit to a 2-1 win against Brentford FC within four minutes of stoppage time.
The player described this experience as a “out of body experience“, so he was just as overwhelmed as he was at the end of March, when his brace shocked the Spanish national team. But now McTominay still has a mission ahead of him: Scotland’s European Championship snapper wants his team to be crowned in the qualification.