Nations League: Scotland v Croatia
Venue: Hampden Park, Glasgow Date: Friday, 15 November Time: 19:45 GMT
Coverage: Listen live on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Scotland and follow live updates on the BBC Sport website & app
Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay says he has had Diego Maradona “in his head and his heart” as he has made an instant impact at Napoli.
The 27-year-old joined the Serie A club, where Maradona is a legend after guiding them to the Italian title in 1990, from Manchester United this summer.
He has scored twice and assisted once in the league and been an integral part of Antonio Conte’s side irrespective of the formation the former Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea manager uses.
“Maradona is obviously the most iconic footballer to ever play the game,” said McTominay during his media conference before Friday’s Nations League game against Croatia.
“When I walked into the stadium, it was a surreal feeling knowing he’s an icon of the game and an absolute legend of football. The people absolutely adore him for the things he did in Naples.”
McTominay says he and fellow Scotland midfielder Billy Gilmour – who moved to Naples from Brighton – are “trying their best” to learn the language and are “picking up things as we go along in terms of phrases”.
And he has no doubts the move to Italy from his boyhood club has been a good one and that while “it’s not easy going abroad, it’s been quite seamless”.
“It was obviously a big decision,” said McTominay. “There’s no denying that. But you just have to say ‘do I want to do it and go for it?’ There’s no looking back.
“I’ve never had any regrets in my life or my career and I’ll continue that way.”
Scotland head coach Steve Clarke admires McTominay for the way he has flourished in Italy.
“It helps us if we have players going to top leagues abroad, especially if they have the impact Scott’s had in Italy,” Clarke said.
“To hit the ground running in Serie A isn’t always easy – a lot of players struggle to find their feet because it’s different to the Premier League, more tactical.
“He’s been a great player for me over the last five years – it doesn’t matter where I’ve played him, even out of position at centre-back.”
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