Scott McTominay might just be the greatest cult hero to ever exist in football. Wherever the Scotsman goes, he does not fail to achieve a cult-like following among people and the community. While many have doubted the 27-year-old’s natural ability on the ball, his goal-scoring abilities and work ethic on and off the pitch have always been appreciated by the fans.
The 6-foot-3-inch midfielder, a Carrington academy product, left his beloved club this summer after spending 22 long years at the club since he was a kid. Scott netted 10 times and provided 3 assists for his boyhood club last season. (Stats by transfermarkt)
He was United’s 4th highest goal scorer last campaign, just behind the likes of Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho, and Bruno Fernandes. But since his exit, a lot has happened for the Scottish midfielder, and today we get into the depth of that! (Stats by transfermarkt)
Scott McTominay’s Man Utd Farewell: From Ten Hag’s Treasure to Di Canio’s Debate
Since Scott left Manchester United, many pundits and fans have debated over his move, as whether it was a blessing or a curse. Some have argued that the Scotsman’s instinctive goal scoring abilities and strong mentality in an already poor, fragile United side struggling in front of the goal is a move that weakens the side. While others have suggested that the midfielder’s ability on the ball is a disadvantage to a side that wants to play possession-based gameplay.
Erik Ten Hag, when asked recently in a Manchester United press conference, said that he did not want the Scotsman to be sold and that the ‘rules’ (presumably the PSR and sustainability rules related to club finances) played a major hindrance in the club and him not being able to keep the 27-year-old at the club, in spite of his ex-manager’s liking of him.
Many former United players, including the likes of Nemanja Matic, Rio Ferdinand, and others, have questioned the club’s move to ship the midfielder out. But what is more interesting is that the ex-Milan and Napoli legend Paulo Di Canio has also criticized the newly formed INEOS board at Manchester United for letting him go, especially after his wonderful start to the campaign this season with Napoli.
This highlights one thing for sure: in spite of not having polished footballing abilities on the ball, the Scotsman, with his professionalism, drive, work ethic, and goal-scoring abilities in crucial moments (as displayed last season for Manchester United, when they desperately needed a goal), has always managed to create a special space in the hearts of fans, pundits, and other players, and that is what has materialized in Naples as well, with fans admiring this at his new club as well.
Mcterminator: The Scottish Gladiator Winning Naples’ Heart
McTominay has taken a very short period of time to be a fan favorite amongst the Naples crowd. The 27-year-old has already had 2 goal contributions in 4 games, scoring his debut goal vs. Como in just 25 seconds after entering the game.
In his introduction at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, a recent video has emerged where the announcer calls out his name, for his introduction at the pitch. What follows is an electrifying atmosphere with the Napoli fans spiritedly chanting the name of their new midfield arrival, from Manchester.
Further, it’s just not Napoli fans in Naples who have shown love for the Scotsman; it’s Napoli fans across the globe. One such Napoli fan is Mimmo Rossi, who has dedicated an entire variant of pizza at his shop Bella Vita in Glasgow, Scotland. Mimmo has described the arrival of both Scottish duo McTominay and ex Chelsea academy graduate Billy Gilmour. This further serves as a testament to the immense love the Napoli fans have for him.
If we add the above context to the fact that, with the backing of a manager like Antonio Conte who understands his game and complements his style of play, Napoli fans can only wait for better things to come their way.
But, in spite of being a fan favorite already, why do Napoli fans, in the traditional sense, have absolute fear pronouncing the midfielder’s name, and why has it led to a course of discussion across social media? Let’s find out a bit more about that.
“Scott McTo… what?” – The Name That’s Tying Neapolitan Tongues in Knots!
In a public and social experiment interview, hosted by CalcioNapoli24, they go around the city of Naples, asking the local community one simple question: Can they pronounce the name of ‘Scott Mctominay?’ This led to fans reacting hilariously at the attempts of the Napoli faithful to pronounce his name.
In the video, the people of Naples can be seen absolutely butchering the pronunciation of the Scotsman’s name. One person even called him “McDong?!” much to the online fans’ amusement.
Few of the Napoli faithful, however, managed to get his name called out accurately, but the majority of them having their ‘blooper’ moments, absolutely struggling for their lives, has been considered a funny and wholesome moment across social media.
A Scottish hero in an Italian province like Naples? If someone had mentioned that in a general sense years ago, there is a high probability that he would have been called an idiot. But only football and this game that we adore has the power to cross boundaries and cultures and eventually bring us all together.
The bottom line is this: Napoli fans could not care less about the Scotsman’s name and how to pronounce it, as long as he wears the Napoli badge and performs on the pitch week in and week out, as he has been, and long may it continue!