Scott McTominay has revealed that a conversation a year ago with the Scotland manager, Steve Clarke, helped him realise he was not happy due to a lack of game time for Manchester United.
Thankfully for United and Scotland fans this was the start of a resurgence of form, with McTominay proving to be an influential player in big games.
On the international stage, McTominay scored seven goals in eight Euro 2024 qualifiers to help Scotland qualify for the finals. This led to the United midfielder being voted Scotland’s Player of the Year.
“That was the camp where the manager and I sat down and he said that I didn’t look happy, that I didn’t look like I was smiling about the place,” said McTominay, as quoted by the Daily Mail.
“I thought: ‘Maybe he’s right’. I went and spoke to my mum, my dad, my girlfriend at the time and they all pretty much said the same thing.”
McTominay has also featured more for United since his resurgence. He has scored nine goals in 34 appearances for Ten Hag’s side, which makes him the club’s second top scorer, behind new signing Rasmus Hojlund.
“Sometimes you just need to enjoy football and play with a smile on your face and take it easy,” McTominay added. “Not everything’s the end of the world if you’re not playing so well and you’re not in the team.
“Ever since that [speaking with Clarke], I’ve just thought: ‘Let’s go for it.’ It was a weight lifted off my shoulders. It shows you that by speaking to someone – especially the manager because he’s honest and he’ll tell you upfront – it can make a significant difference. “He said he wanted to see the kid who was happy whenever he first came on the scene and was playing every week. He saw a boy who was smiling all the time. Now I look back and think: ‘Yeah, maybe sometimes the pressure and stuff like that can mount and you don’t realise it can affect you.’ You just need to take a step back and say: ‘Listen, let’s just play football, how it was as a kid and enjoy it.’”
McTominay was then asked if his improved form for United had directly contributed to his performances for Scotland.
“Every time that you play well and you win it’s a boost, regardless of whether you score, an assist or a clean sheet. If you win and the team plays well then it gives everybody a boost.”
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