Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Ewan Paton

Serie A hero names Scott McTominay as favourite midfielder

Scott McTominay has been hailed as one of the best midfielders in Italy.

The Scotland international started for Napoli last night as they defeated Roma 1-0 on home soil.

The result keeps Antonio Conte's side top of the table on 29 points after nine league games.

McTominay has scored three goals since his summer move from Manchester United.

And it's little wonder that his impressive form has captured the attention of former well-versed Serie A player Hernanes.

The Brazilian played for seven years in Italy, turning out for Lazio, Inter and Juventus.

Asked about his favourite midfielder in Serie A, he told sportitalia: "The Napoli one, McTominay - I saw him play live and I liked him a lot.

"He is elegant, then he sees the goal, because that's what he is: the number 8 must know a bit of everything.

"You have to mark, you have to set up the actions, but you have to see the goal and he sees it. And as a style of play, I like his.

"I also like Nicolo Barella but he's got a different style, he's very dynamic, very annoying, he marks very well.

"But I like midfielders more in the style of Teun Koopmeiners and McTominay."

Meanwhile, after last night's hard-fought victory, McTominay insists he's starting to get a grasp on the language. 

He quipped when speaking to DAZN: “It’s improving. For now, I can order a ‘Caffe Americano, per favore."

Continuing: "First and foremost, my priority is to assist my teammates in every possible way. We are not looking too far ahead.

"Instead, we focus on improving session by session, giving our absolute best for the team.

"We have an outstanding squad, from which I can learn immensely while also sharing my own insights and experiences.

"Our mentality is solely focused on the next game. To be perfectly honest, we’re not casting our gaze too far into the future.

"We pour our efforts into each match, striving for improvement with every game we play. In football, things can change in an instant, so it’s essential to focus on the present.

"Our goal is to win, and there’s a winning mentality in the squad, but we remain cautious and do not look too far ahead.

"We heed the coach's strategies and the coaching staff's guidance, always aiming to perform at our very best.

"The league, as a whole, has left a strong impression on me. It’s not unexpected, but it has genuinely surprised me in a good way. 

"Inter, Milan, and Juventus stand out as the top teams, and Roma are no walk in the park either.

"They all present formidable challenges, but we're also committed to delivering our best on the field."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.