Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay has been ruled out of the national team's upcoming Nations League matches after his club confirmed he requires heart surgery. The 29-year-old Napoli player will undergo a cardiac ablation procedure in the coming days, forcing him to miss a critical period for club and country.
Napoli announced the news this week. "Following the onset of a mild benign arrhythmia, Scott McTominay will undergo corrective surgery using a cardiac arrhythmia ablation (PFA) in the coming days," the club stated. This development is a significant blow for Scotland manager Steve Clarke, who must now plan for important games without one of his most experienced players. The team's recent form has been challenging, with three consecutive losses including a heavy 0-3 defeat to Brazil in June, leaving them third in their World Cup qualifying group.
McTominay's absence spans both his club and international commitments. For Napoli, he will be unavailable for their next four fixtures. This includes a Serie A trip to face Inter this Saturday and a high-profile Champions League clash at home to Arsenal on September 9. He will also sit out league matches against Bologna and Fiorentina later this month.
For Scotland, the timing is particularly difficult. McTominay is not expected to be fit for the Nations League triple-header during the September international break. Scotland are scheduled to face Slovenia, Switzerland, and North Macedonia. The first of those, an away match against Slovenia on September 26, is now set to proceed without the influential midfielder.
Steve Clarke's selection options are immediately reduced. McTominay has been a mainstay in the Scotland setup, offering goals from midfield and vital experience. His unavailability adds to the pressure on a squad looking to reverse a worrying trend in results. Scotland's recent form shows two wins and three losses from their last five outings, but they have lost each of their last three matches.
The squad list data, visible on our squad page, will need to be adjusted. McTominay is now listed on the team's injuries page as currently sidelined. His absence creates an opportunity for other midfielders to step up during a demanding period of competitive games.
Napoli's statement indicates the procedure is scheduled imminently, but a concrete return date has not been specified. The club noted they will provide further updates following the surgery. Napoli's next match after the international break is against Frosinone on October 11, which could be a potential target for a club return, though that remains uncertain.
For Scotland, the focus shifts to the matches immediately ahead without him. The team's defensive record will be a concern for Clarke, with four goals conceded and only one scored in their three World Cup qualifiers so far. Building a resilient midfield unit without McTominay's presence is the immediate task as they prepare to travel to face Slovenia next.
