Scott McTominay was the catalyst for one of Scottish football's greatest nights, inspiring his nation to a first FIFA World Cup appearance in nearly three decades with a stunning victory over Denmark.
A Night of High Drama at Hampden
The must-win qualifier at a raucous Hampden Park on Tuesday night saw McTominay open the scoring after just three minutes with a spectacular overhead kick. The match remained tightly poised until a breathtaking finale, with the Scots trailing until deep into stoppage time.
In a dramatic twist, Kieran Tierney fired Scotland ahead in the 93rd minute, before Kenny McLean sealed the historic 4-2 win with an audacious strike from his own half, spotting Danish goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel off his line.
Praise from an Unlikely Source
The victory sparked jubilant scenes across Glasgow and prompted congratulations from an unexpected quarter. McTominay's former Manchester United and current Napoli teammate, Rasmus Hojlund, was quick to offer his respects despite the result eliminating his native Denmark.
After McTominay posted "USA BABY. SCOTLAND ARE COMING" on Instagram, Hojlund replied, "Congrats mate. Well done." Fellow Scottish international and Napoli colleague Billy Gilmour enthusiastically added, "Yassssssss Scotty boy."
Both McTominay and Hojlund have seen their careers flourish since leaving the Premier League for Italy's Serie A, where the Scottish midfielder was named the league's best player last season.
Clarke's Trust Vindicated in Historic Triumph
Manager Steve Clarke, who has been in charge since 2019 and previously guided Scotland to two European Championships, masterminded the successful qualification campaign. He revealed that his unwavering belief in the squad was so strong he felt unusually calm on the morning of the decisive match.
"I woke up this morning, and as a manager you normally wake up with that tight feeling in your stomach," Clarke said. "I didn't have it this morning... it's because I trust my players so much."
He credited his long-term strategy of building a squad with "more caps, more experience" for delivering when it mattered most, securing Scotland's place at a World Cup for the first time since the 1998 tournament in France.
