Scott McTominay sent Hampden wild as he produced on the biggest stage against the former world champion and three-time Euro kings.
But even as he was slaying Spain at a raucous National Stadium, the fellow Scot who helped send the midfield master on the road to stardom as a tiny five-year old could still see the little kid he first worked with on the pitches of Preston. Dundee-born Charlie Jackson, co-founder of Matrix Soccer Academy in Clitheroe, was head of Manchester United’s North West Development Centre when he first encountered McTominay. The 53-year-old knew even at that age the midfielder was a special talent and he has been proved right after being him develop into a star for club and country.
It was on Tuesday night the 26-year-old Red Devils ace enjoyed his finest moment in the dark blue of Scotland with a double against the Spaniards which came just days after his late brace after coming off the bench against Cyprus in the opening Euro 2024 qualifying Group A fixture. Not a bad international break at all for McTominay.
And few people were as proud as Jackson, who was with McTominay on the day he signed for United, at seeing him send his rattled fierce club rival Rodri and Co packing as the talent spotter raced home from his Football Academy to see the midfielder steal the show.
Jackson left Tayside at an early age but is still fiercely patriotic and was delighted when McTominay chose to represent Scotland. The midfielder was born in England and even met Gareth Southgate but then Scotland boss Alex McLeish won the battle for him to pull on the dark blue.
His former coach was at Hampden to see him win the first of his 36 caps in a friendly against Costa Rica. And couldn’t be happier at his decision after Tuesday night. He told Record Sport : “I was delighted at the time when he chose Scotland over England and even happier now. It’s incredible.
“But that’s what we’ve been waiting for. Sometimes you need a bit of luck, a bit of time and a manager to put faith in him and he’s repaid that. I remember taking one of my friends to Hampden for his Scotland debut and he turned and said to me ‘I wish he’d chosen England!’.
“I moved to England from Dundee when I was five and I hit it off straight away with his dad because of the Scottish connection. His dad hasn’t lost his accent at all so he gives me a bit of stick because of my Lancashire twang but it’s all good fun.
“His parents are so grounded and that is important because they have made Scott what he is and he hasn’t changed one bit. He’s the same – determined, enthusiastic and honest. It’s weird but I can still see Scott as that little kid with me in Preston now, even when he’s scoring against Spain at Hampden!
“His dad always says to me that the best time they had was with us and he gained so much. It was fun and Scott’s a really good lad. I was at Manchester United’s Cliff training ground on the day he signed for Manchester United. Every club in the north west fought for the best kids but Manchester United were the biggest then.
“Scott was selected by our representative scout at the time, Steve Done, and was with us from the age of five until he signed for Manchester United at Under-9 level. He had been spotted while training with a team called Halton Hotshots and we had him at our centre for almost four years.
“I still see him as that little tenacious kid who had the ball at his feet running circles round everyone and picking up the drills we gave him. He’s such a bright lad as well. I’ve not managed to get up to Hampden since his debut against Costa Rica.”
McTominay’s lengthy association at Old Trafford has been the subject of some speculation with the player linked with a move away and Newcastle United heavily linked with him. But his scoring Scotland exploits couldn’t have come at a better time with midfield rival Casemiro due to serve a four-game suspension following this red card at Southampton.
That will likely open to the door for McTominay and Jackson said: “I hope he still has a future at Old Trafford under Erik ten Hag because he’s Manchester United through and through. He’s probably the longest-serving player and he loves Man United. They’re his club. They are who he is and what he is. If you cut him open he’d bleed Man Utd. There’s a lot of speculation but I know Scott and he’s a very loyal boy. His loyalty is second to none.
“I wouldn’t say he’s been playing out of position at Manchester United but he could play more centrally. He’s got multiple positions. You see that with Scotland on Tuesday night. You play him in that pivotal role and give him responsibility and you can see what he does.
“He can play in any position but he’s got four goals in two games at international level. It’s not bad going, is it? He’s matured as a player - and that’s down to Manchester United because he’s been playing in all the positions.”
READ NEXT
