Has Scott McTominay Underperformed at the World Cup — Or Are Expectations Simply Too High?

The Weight of a Nation on One Man's Shoulders

Scotland have navigated their opening two World Cup fixtures — a narrow victory and a narrow defeat — and already the spotlight is burning brightest on one familiar figure. Scott McTominay, the man who arguably carried Scotland to their first World Cup in 28 years, has been noticeably quieter than fans had hoped. But is that a fair assessment, or are we simply holding him to an impossible standard?

The Legend Behind the Expectations

It is not difficult to understand why the Tartan Army pins so much hope on the 29-year-old Napoli midfielder. Across 72 international appearances, McTominay has scored 15 goals and contributed two assists — numbers that, even on their own, barely scratch the surface of what he means to Scotland.

He scored the winner against Israel in 2021. He delivered a famous brace to sink Spain at Hampden Park. Then came that breathtaking bicycle kick against Denmark last November — a goal that ignited Glasgow and sent Scotland marching toward America. That single moment of brilliance encapsulates everything supporters love about him: the timing, the audacity, the sheer will to produce when it matters most.

So when he appears understated on the World Cup stage, the contrast feels jarring.

What the Numbers Actually Reveal

Strip away the emotion and look at the data, and McTominay's contributions become harder to dismiss.

Passing and Work Rate

Against Haiti, McTominay registered a pass completion rate of 93%, the second-highest among Scotland's starting eleven. He maintained an 89% rate against Morocco, ranking third in the squad. Neither figure suggests a player who is disengaged or struggling.

In terms of physical output, he covered more than 12 kilometres against Haiti — more than any other player on the pitch. Against Morocco, only Lewis Ferguson outpaced him, and by a mere 369 metres.

Shots and Goal Threat

McTominay managed two shots on target in each of his two World Cup appearances so far. For context, that is actually one more than he registered against Denmark in November — the night he became a national icon. Against Haiti, he came agonisingly close to a spectacular goal, striking the post.

Yet despite all of this, fan ratings placed him behind several teammates in both matches, with a score of 5.09 against Morocco leaving seven Scottish players ranked above him.

The System Is the Story

Former Scotland international and winger Pat Nevin offered perhaps the most insightful perspective on the situation.

"Scott is not Billy Gilmour. He's not going to go and run the game and pass. He can pass, he can do all those things. But is he going to be a technical player who runs the game? No. Is he going to be world class at arriving in the box? Yeah, as a ten or an eight. And his work rate is fantastic. So when you say he didn't do it in the last period — well, we weren't up there at that end of the pitch. So it's kind of hard to do it."

Nevin's words cut to the heart of the issue. McTominay's greatest qualities — his movement in the final third, his clinical eye for goal, his ability to arrive late and decisively — are weapons that require Scotland to be on the front foot. When the team is pinned back, those weapons stay sheathed.

Scotland's Attacking Struggles Are the Real Problem

Against Haiti, Scotland received possession in the final third just 77 times, compared to 116 occasions at the opposite end. Haiti, for large stretches, controlled the attacking rhythm of the game. In those conditions, asking McTominay to replicate his Denmark heroics is akin to asking a striker to score without the ball.

The good news is that Scotland did improve as the Morocco match progressed. From just before half-time through the second half, Scotland's hold on the game tightened, and their presence in advanced areas became more consistent — even if clear-cut chances remained elusive.

The Brazil Test Awaits

With a game against Brazil on the horizon, Scotland will need McTominay firing on all cylinders. He played through illness against Haiti, demonstrating the kind of commitment that goes beyond statistics. His influence may not yet have reached the dizzying heights of that November night, but the tournament is far from over.

If Scotland can establish themselves higher up the pitch with greater frequency, McTominay will have the platform to remind the world exactly what he is capable of. The bicycle kick may still be coming.