Scotland are gearing up for the first World Cup game the country will have played in over ten thousand days, so the fact that Scott McTominay missed training on Thursday is a slight concern.
McTominay, of course, is generally considered Scotland’s very best player.
To say that the midfielder’s 2024 move from Manchester United to Napoli has agreed with him would clearly be quite the understatement.
The 29-year-old has established himself as one of Europe’s leading midfielders and, as such, is seen as vital to Scotland’s chances of reaching the World Cup knockout stages for the first time.
Any potential setbacks along the way, then, are most unwelcome.
McTominay expected to be fit for Haiti vs Scotland
A stomach complaint kept McTominay out of training at the Atrium Health Training Centre in Charlotte, North Carolina before the Tartan Army play Haiti in Boston on Saturday night.
McTominay wasn’t the only Scotland player to miss training, with defender Scott McKenna also sitting out of the session because of a recent knock.
However, according to The Independent, both players are expected to be fit for Saturday’s huge game.
The Scots are under pressure to beat Haiti, there’s little doubt about it. With Morocco and Brazil also in Group C, Saturday’s clash takes on an added importance.
With all due respect to Haiti, Scotland will be heavy favourites for that game and that game alone.
As such, winning their opening game of the tournament is the most realistic way of securing safe progression into the knockout rounds.
Indeed, finishing third in Group C could well be enough for Scotland. The eight best third-placed finishers across the tournament will qualify for the round of 32.
They will be ranked on points, goal difference, goals scored, team discipline and FIFA ranking.
Read more:
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Scotland’s potential route to the 2026 World Cup final as Steve Clarke looks to make history
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