Scotland Men's Football Team

Adam Binnie
BBC Sport Scotland

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Scott McTominay is the "perfect player" for Napoli boss Antonio Conte, according to Italian football expert Carlo Garganese.

The Scotland international, who joined the Serie A side from Manchester United last summer, has scored seven goals from midfield in an impressive first season in Italy.

"McTominay has been one of the first names on the team sheet all season," Garganese told BBC Scotland.

"He's been superb. He's been the perfect Conte player. He's all-action, enjoys late runs into the box, has a great shot, great finisher and he's really good in the air.

"He's settled in well and loves Italy. He did a great interview last week actually saying how much he loves the place.

"He loves the food. He made a reference to how much he's fallen in love with eating tomatoes. He said in Scotland that they're just red water!

"So that was a really nice story and the fans loved it."

Garganase, who co-hosts the Italian Football Podcast, has also backed McTominay's international team-mate Billy Gilmour to make a bigger impact next season.

"He's been unlucky because Conte has used a midfield three of McTominay, Stanislav Lobotka and Frank Anguissa, and once he's got a first choice XI, he sticks with them," added Garganase.

"They played basically every game until about a month ago when Anguissa got injured.

"Gilmour then came into the team, he played a few games in a row and he played really well. He was outstanding actually.

"I think he's won Conte's trust. He's still not a first-choice player, but I think he's fourth in that pecking order.

"And if you look ahead to next season, I think with some of the other players getting older, we can probably look to Gilmour being more of a key player going forward."

Napoli missed out on the chance to cut the gap on Inter at the top of the league table to just one point when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Lewis Ferguson's Bologna on Monday.

Ferguson was withdrawn from the starting XI minutes before kick-off but has impressed since returning from a long-term absence through injury.

"[The injury was a] huge shame because he was having an incredible season and he was probably going to get a big move," Garganase says.

"I know Juventus were interested in him last summer. The big injury meant he didn't come back until the latter part of 2024, and as a result he's come back and he's playing in a deeper position this year.

"Last year he was more of an attacking midfielder, this year he's been playing in a double pivot in midfield in a 4-2-3-1.

"Maybe that's a reflection of not quite being physically 100% yet after such a serious injury, but he's been having a great season.

"It's been another fairy-tale season for Bologna and Ferguson has played an important role in that again."

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Bournemouth's Ryan Christie is already a doubt for Scotland's June friendly at home to Iceland as two fellow international midfielders also suffered injury blows.

Christie said on social media it is "time to heal" following a groin injury that has prevented the 30-year-old playing a full 90 minutes for the Premier League side in recent weeks and will require surgery.

Lewis Ferguson was forced to miss Bologna's 1-1 draw with Napoli on Monday after the 25-year-old, who has been linked with a summer transfer to the visitors, picked up an injury during the warm up.

Scott McTominay returned from illness that forced him to miss Napoli's previous game against AC Milan to start for the visitors, taking the place of Scotland team-mate Billy Gilmour, who had started their five previous games.

However, McTominay was forced off shortly after Bologna's equaliser, with Gilmour replacing him for the final 20 minutes of a draw that leaves Napoli second in the table, three points behind Internazionale, and their hosts in fourth - one point behind Atalanta.

Two players who have fallen out of favour under Scotland head coach Steve Clarke found the net at the weekend.

Oli McBurnie, who last played for Scotland in March 2021, ended an eight-month wait for his first goal in La Liga by scoring in Las Palmas' 3-1 defeat by Real Sociedad on Sunday, firing home from close range after being set up by former Rangers loan forward Fabio Silva.

The striker became only the second Scot to score in Spain's top flight in 38 years, following in the footsteps of Oli Burke, who netted for Alaves during a loan spell from West Bromwich Albion in February 2000.

Fellow 28-year-old Burke, meanwhile, on Saturday scored his fourth Bundesliga goal of the season for Werder Bremen, who currently lie 10th in the table.

The forward, who was last capped in November 2020, headed his side's opener from a corner kick in a 2-0 home win over Eintracht Frankfurt in his fifth consecutive start in the German top flight.

Scotland and Bournemouth midfielder Ryan Christie has confirmed his season is over, the 30-year-old saying on social media it is "time to heal" as he is set to undergo surgery to resolve a persistent groin issue. (The Herald), external

Lewis Ferguson was forced to pull out of Bologna's Serie A meeting with Napoli after picking up an injury during the warm-up on Monday, while opposition midfielder Scott McTominay was forced off with a knock after 70 minutes of the 1-1 draw after replacing fellow Scotland international Billy Gilmour in the starting line-up. (The Scotsman), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Rangers hope to persuade Greg Taylor to switch from Celtic this summer, but with Dinamo Zagreb, who failed in a January bid, still keen and Major League Soccer clubs also interested, the 27-year-old Scotland left-back will assess all other options before even considering such a controversial move. (Football Insider), external

Agent Bill McMurdo says there is a possibility Lewis Ferguson will continue playing in Serie A with a club other than Bologna next season and believes that the 25-year-old Scotland midfielder would have joined Napoli last year had he not got injured. (Telecapri via Tutto Mercato), external

Lewis Ferguson's agent, Bill McMurdo, does not know if Napoli are still interested in the Scotland midfielder but says the Bologna 25-year-old would be interested in playing for Napoli. (The Herald), external

A mistake that led to a goal in Sunday's defeat by Fulham has renewed calls for Liverpool to find a left-back to replace 31-year-old Scotland captain Andy Robertson, with the Premier League leaders well placed to sign Bournemouth's Milos Kerkez this summer. (TeamTalk), external

Bournemouth will demand £40m for 21-year-old Hungary left-back Milos Kerkez, who is on Liverpool's radar along with £50m-rated 27-year-old Fulham and United States defender Antonee Robinson despite Scotland captain Andy Robertson insisting he will not be leaving the Anfield club. (Mirror), external

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Leicester are considering the possibility of appointing former Southampton manager Russell Martin, the ex-Scotland defender, if they sack Ruud van Nistelrooy. (Sun), external

Celtic and Scotland left-back Greg Taylor, 27, could join Dinamo Zagreb as a free agent this summer. (Football Scotland), external

Former Scotland midfielder Callum McGregor, 31, believes having a break during international weekends has benefitted him as Celtic captain this season. (Football Scotland), external

Dundee's Scottish forward Simon Murray, 33, deserves international recognition, believes his club boss Tony Docherty. (Scotsman - subscription required), external

Hearts' Scotland Under-21 defender Lewis Neilson, 21, was inspired by his former next door neighbour, Scotland international Stuart Armstrong, when both were based in Dundee. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external

Read Sunday's Scottish gossip

Reports in Germany indicate 13-times capped Scotland forward Oliver Burke, 27, will be offered a new two-year contract at Werder Bremen. (Football Scotland), external

Read Saturday's Scottish gossip

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Bournemouth are considering fast-tracking Ryan Christie's groin surgery in a move that would end the Scotland midfielder's season.

The 30-year-old has been a regular for the Cherries this season but has not lasted the full 90 minutes in any of his past nine appearances.

Christie was forced off 26 minutes into Bournemouth's game against Brighton at the end of February at which point boss Andoni Iraola revealed the 30-year-old would likely need to go under the knife at the end of the campaign.

But given the wear and tear Christie has accumulated in recent months, the club are seriously considering sending the midfielder for the surgery before the end of the season to get him fit for the start of the 2025-26 campaign.

Scotland have friendlies with Iceland and Liechtenstein in early June before beginning their World Cup qualifying campaign on 5 September away to Denmark.

"We are trying to go with him until the end of the season but, against Brighton, there were moments where he felt he couldn't any more," Iraola said.

"That's probably something we have to analyse. There is a chance we decide that he should have the surgery now, recover, take his time and be ready for next season.

"It's not something that we've decided but it's a situation that we have to analyse well because I think his body is telling him he's pushed it a lot.

"He's so honest and he wants to push, even with pain he has been playing, and he's played very well for a lot of time. I think it's a moment where his body is telling him that maybe it's time."

Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay, who joined Napoli last summer, has revealed he felt "misprofiled" at Manchester United, where he was used as a number six or centre-back when his strengths have always been getting into the box and scoring goals. (The Athletic), external

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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A new winger is a priority for Everton in the summer and Scotland 19-year-old Ben Doak is on their radar, but Bournemouth and Crystal Palace are also interested and Liverpool have yet to decide whether to sell, loan or keep him at the end of the season. (TeamTalk), external

Former Hearts utility man and Scotland cap Callum Paterson admits his future situation is up in the air as he heads into the final months of his Sheffield Wednesday contract. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Former Scotland forward Johnny Russell says his Rangers-supporting father would never have forgiven him if he had signed for Celtic before Derby County outbid the Glasgow club to take him from Dundee United. (Scottish Sun), external

Former Scotland midfielder James McArthur has revealed he is a lifelong supporter of Rangers but is relieved he never played for the Glasgow club for the sake of his family. (PLZ Soccer), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Scotland Under-21 head coach Scot Gemmill admits losing 6-1 to friendly opponents on Tuesday was "a really embarrassing scoreline". (Herald - subscription required), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish gossip

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Scotland Under-21s were beaten 6-1 by Iceland Under-21s in Tuesday's friendly match in Pinatar, Spain.

The Scots trailed by three at the break as Benony Breki Andresson, Eggert Aron Gudmundsson and Andresson again put Iceland in command.

Sheffield United's Ryan One reduced the deficit early in the second half but Haukur Andri Haraldsson, Hilmir Rafn Mikaelsson and Johannes Kristinn Bjarnason added further goals for Iceland.

Hearts midfield Finlay Pollock was sent off after receiving a second yellow card.

We asked you for your views following Scotland's defeat to Greece and relegation from Nations League A.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Michael: That's probably the worst performance under Clarke. After the initial 10 minutes, we were totally devoid of ideas for how to break the Greeks down, physically lacked the pace and strength to compete, didn't pass or break with any speed or conviction and worst of all had absolutely no passion to lift the crowd.

Mark: Typical Scotland, glorious failure yet again. Outplayed by a better team. To quote the Howard Jones song from 1980's, 'Things Can Only Get Better'.

Tony: Scotland were absolutely hopeless. Their long balls went nowhere or out of play. There was no energy or class on display. They were well and deservedly beaten.

Maurice: We've found our level. Shouldn't be in the top league. Weak up front and shaky at the back. Ben Doak might have made a difference but the players looked tired.

Peter: We made it so easy for Greece. A team with really decent players who punished us for a truly woeful performance. Instead of moving forward, we have fallen down another hole... embarrassing!

Patrick: I hate that phrase bump in the road, this was a pot hole.

Steven: Confidence was high ahead of the game, but what a shocking performance after a great result in Greece. Could barely string two passes together Congratulations to Greece. They looked better than us all over the pitch. It could've been more than three.

Benny: Clueless, ineffective and inadequate are just three words to describe that performance.

We were bright for about 15-20 minutes at the start, then the wheels came off. John McGinn got it spot on when he said embarrassing, which is a massive understatement. Yet again they let the long-suffering fans down. Time for some players to move on after this display.

Scotland will be looking for "revenge" when they face Greece in World Cup qualifiers later this year after they were dumped down to Nations League B, says striker George Hirst.

The Ipswich Town forward made his international debut off the bench in the win in Piraeus on Thursday, but struggled to make an impact - along with his team-mates - as a substitute at Hampden in Sunday's woeful defeat.

And the 26-year-old is Hirst is hoping his side can give a better account of themselves when Greece return to Glasgow in October.

"It's definitely not the result we wanted and not the result we planned for," Hirst said.

"We're going to get the chance to have revenge on them a little bit later in the year when they come back for the World Cup qualifiers, so that's the better part.

"They're going to be big games and they're going to improve, we're going to have to improve. They might look at it and go underestimating us next time, which if they do, then fair play to them. We'll be ready for that.

"We didn't get the result this time, but we're fortunate enough that we've got the chance to go and rectify that in a few months."

Hirst reflected on an "awesome" week in camp with Steve Clarke's side and has his eye on the summer friendlies to "cement" his spot.

"It's been an incredible week for myself, I couldn't have enjoyed it more, to be honest," he added.

"Bar the result (on Sunday), it's been absolutely awesome to be a part of it and see how it works. To make my Scotland debut, it's been absolutely massive.

"I'm just really delighted to be here and I hope I can do enough at my club going forward to cement myself in the squad.

"The lads have made me feel so welcome and feel so at home, so that's been wicked. Obviously, it would have been nice to have topped it off with a result, but that wasn't to be. We've got plenty of lessons to learn."

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Scotland must "look at ourselves in the mirror," says defender Grant Hanley after defeat to Greece sealed their relegation to Nations League B.

The Birmingham City centre-half was one of many inside Hampden Park on Sunday night left lost for words at the manner of which Steve Clarke's side crashed out of the top tier of the competition, particularly after Thursday's victory in Piraeus.

"It's still raw and it's really difficult to put a finger on it straight away," the 33-year-old said.

"It'll take time to process and really analyse it, but it's majorly disappointing.

"I'm cautious of not saying too much at the minute because it's emotional and tough to take."

Hanley stressed, though, that this side have suffered setbacks before and their "character" has prevailed. He's adamant it will again.

"We've definitely had some major high moments in the last few years, but here's also been some major lows and I'm sure the squad will prove again, as we have done, that we can bounce back," he added.

"We've got character. I don't think that's something you can ever question."

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• Scotland have conceded 3+ goals in four of their last eight home games in all competitions - as many as their previous 36 beforehand. Indeed, this was their heaviest home defeat since September 2019, when they lost 4-0 to Belgium in qualifying for Euro 2020.

• Aged 18 years and 17 days, James Wilson became Scotland's youngest ever senior debutant, overtaking John Lambie's record (18y 63d) originally set in February 1887 against Ireland.

• Greece have won four consecutive competitive away games for the first time since September 2008.

• Greece enjoyed their biggest win over a side ranked inside Fifa's top 50 since February 2000 when they beat Austria 4-1 in a friendly, and biggest in a competitive international against a top 50 nation since October 1998 against Georgia (3-0).

• Aged 17 years and 124 days, Greece's Konstantinos Karetsas was the youngest player ever to score in the Nations League, surpassing Gavi's record when he netted for Spain against Czechia in June 2022 (17y 304d).

• Scotland's starting XI for this match was the second-oldest any side has named in the this season's Nations League (30 years, 196 days), while Greece's was the second-youngest by any starting XI in this season's tournament (23y 4d).

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Liverpool hope to use 19-year-old Scotland winger Ben Doak as a makeweight in any deal for Bournemouth's 21-year-old Hungary full-back Milos Kerkez or 25-year-old Ghana forward Antoine Semenyo. (Sun), external

Read Monday's Scottish gossip

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Former Scotland defender Willie Miller: "Sometimes the opposition are just better than you and the Greeks were better. Sorely disappointing, a great performance from Greece and a poor one from Scotland.

"Greece were just a better side, we had no answer for them. We had no creativity and no threat, we didn't make it difficult at all for Greece. It's League A we wanted to be in and we failed tonight."

Former Scotland striker and coach Steven Naismith: "The goals conceded at the time they were is a massive thing. The goal after the break changed the whole feel. It was tough for Scotland."

Former Scotland forward James McFadden: Scotland promised so much coming into the game. As good as Thursday was, it was as bad tonight.

"Real sore one to take. Greece looked really comfortable. We didn't have enough performers. Too many players were well off their best.

"Greece have shown they are a good side, but we didn't do nearly enough to cause them problems."

Injured Scotland striker Lyndon Dykes: "It just wasn't the night for us. We've been down before and come back from it. We need to make sure we're focused for the next games and then go into the World Cup qualifiers."