How’s your week going?
“I’m fine. I’m training, working on recovery and preparing for the season finale, which is very important for us. My life revolves around recovery, intense training and some gym work, which is essential to stay fit at this point in the season.”
What’s one thing you’re looking forward to these days that has nothing to do with football?
“I always look forward to dinner time. My girlfriend and I love to sit, watch TV or just relax, but above all we love to eat well.”
Have you already realized what it means to lead Scotland to their first World Cup in 28 years?
“Yes, and it’s fantastic especially for children and young Scottish footballers who dream of becoming professionals. This is the most important aspect. A child can now go to training and talk about the World Cup with his friends at school. It’s something wonderful. And we are extremely grateful to be able to give this joy to Scotland.”
You were about two years old at the 1998 World Cup. Have you seen any images from those tournaments?
“I have seen various clips over the years, such as the goal scored against Brazil. And it is incredible that we will face Brazil again in this World Cup. It is the tournament that the whole world watches and as a child I always dreamed of participating in it. For me, having this opportunity will be extraordinary. But I don’t think about it too much, because sometimes it risks seeming unreal. You have to keep your feet on the ground.”
What are your expectations?
“There’s no room for shyness. You have to face challenges like this with your head held high. But it’s a match-by-match journey. You can’t look too far ahead. The thing is simple: you have to give your best in every match, both with the club and with the national team. The fact that it’s a World Cup adds something extra, of course, but my approach remains the same: go onto the pitch with your head held high and give your best.”
We need to talk about your now iconic overhead kick against Denmark.
“In moments like this the ball can fall to you in the right way. In my career I have tried similar plays several times. Even in Naples I tried four or five recently and they didn’t succeed. But you have to trust the work you’ve done all your life and your athletic abilities. In a situation like this you have nothing to lose. I hit the ball really well and I’m grateful that it went in, because every time I think about it, fantastic memories come back to me.”
What’s it like seeing that giant mural in Glasgow?
“I’m extremely grateful for it, so I thank Adidas for thinking of something so special. But I almost feel a little embarrassed. It’s up there, visible to all the players during training. I’m a pretty private person. It’s incredible, but seeing my huge face on the side of a building is something surreal.”
After that match did you hear from your Napoli teammate, Rasmus Hojlund?
“I know Hojlund very well. He’s a fantastic boy and we joke all the time. But he can’t watch that overhead kick anymore! (laughs, ed.). This is football: sometimes you play against your friends and at the same time someone realizes a dream while someone else experiences disappointment.”
How many times did you send him a GIF of that goal?
“Oh, that’s light stuff. Billy Gilmour and I hung all the pictures from that game on his locker.”
And what about friendships outside of football?
“We have a group chat with 15 friends I’ve known for countless years. We’ve been traveling together for over a decade. They’ve lived my entire career, but I’m just as interested in their lives as they are in mine. It’s never all about me. I have the best friends in the world and they mean the world to me.”
Has it become harder to hang out with them normally?
“No, because we don’t think about it. When they come to visit me, we have a coffee, we go to restaurants, we hang out in the sun. When I come back to Manchester we play golf and go out in the evening. It’s the most normal group of friends you could imagine. And they’ve never treated me differently.”
“I spoke to Alex Ferguson in September. He was fantastic. He rang me and I was very grateful for the time he gave me. He asked me how I was and how things were going in football. It was really good to hear from him.”
Did you have his number saved?
“No, it was an anonymous call. I answered with a simple «Hello?» because I answer all phone calls. He said, “How are you, son?” And I immediately understood who he was.”
Did he give you any particular advice?
“Yes, but I prefer to keep it to myself. He has always had extraordinary advice. He is such an iconic figure that you hold on to every word he says and try to remember it in subsequent games.”
Your first season at Napoli was extraordinary. What has changed?
“Difficult question. It was important to finally play in my natural role as a midfielder, where I can both attack and defend. I immediately felt at ease. The coach and the technical staff also helped me a lot to grow and understand the game better. In the end it was the result of daily work. You always hope that the hard work will pay off and that you will prove that you can help a team win the championship. But now I want to repeat myself. I have tasted that success and I don’t want to stop.”
Even off the pitch: the internet seems obsessed with your new look.
“I don’t really see much of what is said online. But I love the clothes here in Italy. I like the fabrics, the way people dress and the attention to detail. I have a tailor who helps me. When you wear nice clothes you feel good. And I really like that.”
You even let your hair grow.
“I don’t even know how it happened. I never decided to grow it to a certain length. In Manchester I often changed my hairstyle, but now I’ve found something that makes me feel comfortable. And honestly, longer hair is much more practical.”
Do you feel more comfortable with yourself?
“Maybe yes. I never really thought about it. I was younger in Manchester. As you grow up you learn to relax. Life isn’t that terrible. You just have to try to enjoy it. And for me the most important thing is to live it together with my family and friends.”
What are you listening to lately?
“I have very varied tastes. I like country music, rap and I love Olivia Dean. Her song Man I Need is one of my all-time favorites. It’s been playing non-stop for a long time. It always puts me in a good mood. I also like Luke Combs, Gunna and Lil Baby.”
What else do you like these days?
“I love playing golf and I loved watching the Masters. Seeing Rory McIlroy win back to back was incredible and very inspiring. I think you can learn a lot of things from other sports too. For example, I love The Last Dance series. I’ve seen it four or five times. And Michael Jordan is probably the only person who would really blow me away if I met him.”
And something outside of sport?
“I love Stone Cold Steve Austin. He was one of my heroes. I grew up watching wrestling with The Undertaker and Brock Lesnar. But outside of sports, the thing I love most is being silly with my friends. Going on trips, being in groups, having fun and acting like kids again. It’s my favorite thing.”
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