Scott McTominay has revealed he was in hospital under sedation to have a “shock on my heart” just 48 hours before Scotland began their World Cup campaign against Haiti in June.
At the time McTominay’s absence from training was put down to a stomach complaint. It emerged in August that the Napoli midfielder needed surgery to remedy an irregular heartbeat. The operation took place in September, causing McTominay to miss Scotland’s first four Nations League matches. The player has now said the matter arose in the US as Scotland prepared for their World Cup opener at Boston Stadium.
McTominay is back in the international fold for Scotland’s fixtures against North Macedonia and Switzerland. Talking to media in Glasgow the 29-year-old said: “The World Cup was difficult for me to be honest. I had to go and get the shock on my heart. It was two days before the Haiti game and you have prepared so well. I was in such good condition and then something like that happens. And you think: ‘How is this happening to me?’ But then you have to get on with it.
“These are cards you are dealt in football. Sometimes things don’t go your way and you have to continue to do your best. It’s nowhere near an excuse but it’s something you have to look back on and say it’s part of the process.
“Whenever you are sitting in a hospital bed two days before the first game at the World Cup, about to get put to sleep it’s not ideal is it? When things like that happen it is what it is, there’s nothing you can do about it. After the World Cup I reflected on it and it’s probably the most disappointed I have been in my career.”
Scotland were knocked out in the group stage, with McTominay’s performances among those criticised. A poor campaign also led to the resignation of Steve Clarke as manager. Sébastien Pocognoli, Clarke’s successor, will call on McTominay for the first time when North Macedonia visit Hampden Park on Friday. McTominay returned to the Napoli team in early October. He has since scored five goals, including doubles against Bodø/Glimt and Roma. He sought to play down the significance of his heart problem.
“I’m feeling much, much better than what I was,” said McTominay. “It [the operation] was something that needed to be done. In your career you have moments like that, where things can take you by surprise. It looks a lot worse to people in the media and family or friends who reach out to you when they see news relating to a heart issue, but it was a relatively straightforward procedure which went really, really well in Manchester. I’m really happy to be back and playing football again.
“It was explained to me really well by the doctors at Napoli and my cardiologist in Manchester so the process was really straightforward. The doctor with Scotland when we were away at the World Cup explained, if that was going to be the case how it would look. All the staff members made me feel so relaxed about the situation.”
