Scott McTominay openly shared that, a year earlier, a conversation with Steve Clarke prompted him to realise his unhappiness largely due to inadequate pitch time at Manchester United, sparking a tremendous performance streak for Scotland thereafter.
The 27-year-old midfielder rocketed to a tally of seven goals in merely eight qualifying matches for Euro 2024 in the following 12 months. This figure includes a brace in Scotland’s 2-0 triumph over Spain at Hampden Park on 28th March, as well as a pair of goals in Scotland’s 3-0 coup over Cyprus, that occurred only four days before McTominay’s watershed dialogue with Clarke.
Reflecting, McTominay shared, “On that occasion, the manager opined that it appeared like I’d lost my joy… maybe he spotted that accurately.” He went further to reveal that he sought the perspectives of his closest relations on his then-manager’s comments, and they unanimously echoed the same sentiments.
At that moment in time, two months had passed since McTominay last featured in the initial lineup for Manchester United in a Premier League match. He also had only two more starts since then, and both were in the FA Cup victories against West Ham and Fulham in March.
McTominay further added, “There are times when one needs to relish football, play with a cheerful disposition and relax… nothing’s incredibly catastrophic if you’re not playing well or you’re not in the initial lineup.” He earnestly stated that from then on, he simply embraced the ‘go for it’ attitude, realising it was like a burden being lifted from his shoulders.
Clarke’s honest counsel, McTominay admitted, had brought about a significant change. The manager expressed his desire to see the jovial young man who always wore a cheerful smile, like when he first entered professional football and was getting regular playtime. Looking back, the footballer realised how mounting pressure and other factors can subtly affect one’s joy in the sport.
Accomplished footballer, McTominay, underscores the importance of enjoyment in playing football, recounting periods in his career when he wasn’t playing. He mentions the pressure he placed on himself during these periods, how it was a struggle not to play and how it had an emotional impact on him. McTominay shared his strong desire to play and participate as much as possible, considering football as more than just a game but a way of life.
After certain enlightening conversations, McTominay realised the significance of seizing the opportunity presented by his football career. His performances on the international stage have been recognised, winning the award of Player of the Year from the Scottish Football Writers’ Association — a prideful accomplishment for him, given the talented predecessors in Scotland’s football history.
Speaking about the recent runs of Clarke’s squad, the team’s six-match winless streak and recent 4-0 defeat by the Netherlands have been particular lowlights. Despite showing some early promise in their match in Amsterdam, they ended up conceding three goals within the last 18 minutes.
Looking forward, McTominay remains optimistic as Scotland prepares to host Northern Ireland at Hampden Park. He insists that they have the capacity to bounce back from their current form, sure of their potential to score heavily in upcoming matches, potentially catching some teams off guard.
Reflecting on their game against the Netherlands, McTominay admitted their performance was satisfactory for the most part but they need to improve in terms of conversion. To this end, he emphasises the absolute necessity to convert opportunities into goals when presented with the chance, himself included.
-Guardian.