Napoli's Scott McTominay wants Steve Clarke to sign a contract extension and reveals how his move to Italy is preparing him for the 2026 World Cup.

Scott McTominay is currently enjoying a career renaissance that few saw coming when he left Manchester United last summer. Now a cult hero in Naples, the midfielder has traded the damp North West of England for the passionate, sun-drenched streets of southern Italy, where he recently helped Napoli secure another league title. Yet, despite his successes in Serie A, McTominay’s focus remains sharply trained on the international stage. As Scotland prepares for the long road to the 2026 World Cup, the 29-year-old has made his stance clear: he wants Steve Clarke to lead the national team well beyond the upcoming tournament in the Americas. It is a vote of confidence for a manager who has restored pride to a nation that spent two decades in the international wilderness.

The relationship between McTominay and Clarke has been a cornerstone of Scotland's recent resurgence. Having earned 62 of his 69 caps under the 62-year-old head coach, the midfielder views Clarke as the essential architect of the squad's current camaraderie. With Clarke's contract set to expire after the World Cup, the Scottish FA is under pressure to secure his long-term future before the squad departs for the tournament. McTominay believes that Clarke’s ability to balance freedom with professionalism is exactly what this group needs to finally break their knockout-stage curse. For a player who has reached the pinnacle of club football, the drive to achieve something historic with his country remains the ultimate motivator.

The Stability Factor: Why Clarke is Essential

Stability in international football is a rare commodity, but McTominay insists it is the primary reason for Scotland’s qualification for consecutive major tournaments. He describes Clarke as a "great man" first and a "great coach" second, highlighting the human element that has bonded this squad together. Unlike the revolving door of managers that defined previous eras of Scottish football, Clarke has built a system based on trust and clear roles. Senior figures like Andy Robertson and John McGinn provide the leadership, but it is Clarke who provides the tactical floor that allows players like McTominay to thrive in advanced positions. The midfielder is adamant that having the manager’s future settled before the World Cup is crucial for the team’s focus.

McTominay’s backing of Clarke isn't just about sentiment; it’s about the results that have seen Scotland compete with Europe's elite. The manager’s ability to foster a club-like atmosphere within the national camp has been cited by several players as a key factor in their success. McTominay points out that Clarke allows the group’s natural chemistry to flourish without letting it slip into complacency. This delicate balance has transformed Scotland from a team that hoped to compete into one that expects to qualify. For McTominay, Clarke is the only man fit to lead the transition into the next cycle, potentially taking the team through to Euro 2028.

Exorcising the Ghosts of Euro 2024

The success of qualifying for major tournaments has been tempered by the frustration of early exits, most notably the disappointing campaign in Germany last summer. Scotland finished bottom of their group at Euro 2024, a result that McTominay admits still "doesn't sit well" with him. The pain of that exit has become a primary driver for the current squad. There is a collective sense that they underperformed on the biggest stage, and the hunger to make amends in 2026 is palpable. McTominay describes having "the bit between his teeth," a phrase that captures the relentless focus required to ensure the next tournament follows a different script.

To achieve that breakthrough, McTominay emphasizes the need for a game-by-game approach. The lesson from the Euros was that looking too far ahead can lead to disaster. The midfielder is focused on the "relentless work" required in training and the gym to remain at the peak of his powers as he approaches his thirties. He sees the World Cup not just as a participation event, but as the pinnacle of a player’s career. The goal is no longer just to get there; it is to stay there long enough to make a lasting impact on the global stage, something a Scottish men’s team has never achieved by reaching the knockout rounds.

The Iniesta Spark and Childhood Ambitions

McTominay’s obsession with the World Cup can be traced back to a specific moment in 2010. Like many of his generation, watching Andres Iniesta strike the winning goal for Spain in Johannesburg was a transformative experience. He describes it as a "wow" moment that solidified his desire to play at the highest level. For a young boy growing up during Scotland’s long absence from the tournament — their last appearance having been in 1998 — the idea of representing his country on that stage seemed like a distant dream. Now that it is a reality, he views every cap and every campaign as something to be cherished.

The midfielder often reflects on the version of himself that started playing football, noting that his younger self would have "snapped your hand off" for the opportunities he has today. This perspective keeps him grounded despite his high-profile move to Italy and his burgeoning status as a national icon. The memory of Iniesta's goal serves as a reminder of the impact a single moment can have on a nation’s sporting history. McTominay wants to be the one providing that moment for Scotland, translating his prolific goal-scoring form for the national team into a tournament-defining contribution.

Life in Naples: An Old-School Approach to Fame

Since moving to Napoli, McTominay has experienced a level of fanatical devotion that is rare even by Premier League standards. The city's supporters are famously passionate, seeing their players as extended members of the family. However, despite his "cult hero" status, McTominay remains remarkably unaffected by the noise. He admits to being "a bit old school" when it comes to social media, largely avoiding the digital world and leaving the online presence to his teammate and compatriot Billy Gilmour. He has only ventured into the center of Naples once, preferring a quiet life focused on training and recovery.

This grounded approach has helped him adapt quickly to the tactical demands of Serie A. The Italian game has historically valued discipline and tactical intelligence, qualities that McTominay has in abundance. His time in Italy has already seen him add a league title to his honors, further validating his decision to leave Manchester United. He speaks warmly of the family-oriented nature of the Napoli supporters, who have embraced him and his family from the moment he arrived. For McTominay, the love he receives at the stadium is enough; he doesn't need the validation of likes or shares to know he is making an impact.

A Legacy Immortalized in Currency

In a bizarre yet flattering turn of events, McTominay’s contributions to Scottish football have been immortalized on a new Bank of Scotland £20 note. The note features his spectacular overhead kick against Denmark, the goal that helped secure Scotland’s qualification for the upcoming World Cup. He describes the honor as "surreal," a fitting word for a player whose career path has taken him from a squad player at Old Trafford to a face on the national currency. It is a testament to the cultural impact he has made, transcending the sport to become a symbol of a new, confident era for Scottish football.

The Final Push for 2026

As the countdown to the World Cup continues, McTominay is focused on maintaining the standards that brought him to this point. He believes that the relentless nature of the Italian league will only make him a better asset for Steve Clarke. Whether it is through his physical presence in the box or his newfound tactical flexibility, he is ready to lead the charge. The message to the SFA is clear: keep the manager, keep the momentum, and let this group of players finish what they started. For Scott McTominay, the dream that began with a Spanish goal in 2010 is now just one tournament away from its ultimate fulfillment. more football news on MATCHLINE