Scott McTominay continues to play a major part in Scotland’s attempt to qualify for next year’s European Championships, which will be held in Germany, and fired another warning shot at Erik ten Hag against Cyprus
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Scott McTominay fired Scotland to the brink of Euro qualifying – and proved to Erik Ten Hag that he can’t be written off at Manchester United.
Steve Clarke’s men won their fifth match and retained their unblemished record in Group A, putting them in pole position for a trip to Germany next summer. The trip to the Euro championships was shortened even before the game began as Spain defeated Georgia.
This, combined with Scotland’s victory, suggests that it could be done by next week. A draw in Oslo on Tuesday night between Norway and Georgia would mean Scotland have made it, just as they meet England in a friendly in Glasgow. What a party that would be at Hampden Park.
McTominay has only played seven minutes for Manchester United this season, coming on as a late substitution twice.
Wolves and Nottingham Forest are the opponents. If Ten Hag doesn’t like him, it appears that foreign games will be his main outlet this season. Tartan Harry Maguire is his name.
If he’s not a key man at Old Trafford these days, he certainly is for Steve Clarke. Here he netted his sixth goal in five qualifying games, a remarkable record. McTominay failed to land a move to West Ham or Newcastle in the summer transfer window, but adds power and a touch of class to Clarke’s midfield.
As Andy Robertson ran down the left and crossed, allowing John McGinn to flick on for McTominay to scramble home with his head, he peeled off to the back post.
With Saltire flags encircling the ground and a holiday vibe, the atmosphere in Cyprus was as heated as the 27C temperature, and the visiting fans were rewarded.
After 15 minutes, Ryan Porteous volleyed in his maiden international goal to put Scotland ahead. The defender slammed home from close range after Jack Hendry headed down a long ball free kick.
After 30 minutes, it was three, with McTominay adding an assist to his first goal. After a strong exchange with Che Adams, he accelerated down the right picked out McGinn.
The Aston Villa playmaker controlled and bent a lovely left foot effort into the goal from 20 yards. It was McGinn’s 17th goal in 57 caps.
After that it was a controlled performance bar the odd scare from Cyprus from long range. McTominay slid a long range shot just past the post as he looked for more and also hit the post late on. Was Ten Hag watching and rethinking his role at Old Trafford?
