McTominay reveals heart treatment before Scotland’s World Cup opener

Scott McTominay has revealed that he received heart treatment two days before Scotland’s first match at the World Cup. The midfielder said he had been hospitalised and put under sedation to receive an electric shock. His absence from training at the time had been attributed to a stomach complaint.

“The World Cup was difficult for me, to be honest. I had to get a shock on my heart. It was two days before the Haiti game, and we had prepared so well,” he said. McTominay recalled being in very good condition before the problem arose. “You think: ‘How is this happening to me?’ But then you have to get on with it.”

The disclosure sheds light on a difficult spell for the player, whose performances were among those criticised after Scotland went out in the group stage. He said he reflected on the episode after the tournament, calling it the biggest disappointment of his career. “It’s nowhere near an excuse, but you have to look back on it and say it’s part of the process,” he also said.

The heart issue emerged in August, when it was reported that the Napoli midfielder would need surgery to address an irregular heartbeat. The operation took place the following month and meant McTominay missed Scotland’s opening to the Nations League. He returned to the Napoli team in early October.

McTominay says he is now feeling better. He described the operation, carried out in Manchester, as a relatively straightforward procedure that went “really, really well”. He also said doctors at Napoli and his cardiologist in Manchester explained the process clearly. Scotland’s doctor had also talked him through what might happen during the World Cup.

The midfielder is back in Scotland’s squad for upcoming fixtures against North Macedonia and Switzerland. Friday’s meeting with North Macedonia at Hampden Park will be the first occasion on which Sébastien Pocognoli, who succeeded Steve Clarke, can select McTominay.