Scotland duo McTominay and Gilmour target historic World Cup progression
Napoli midfielders Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour are determined to lead Scotland into the World Cup knockout stages for the first time in history this summer.
The national side will return to football’s biggest global stage for the first time in 28 years when they face Haiti in Boston on 13 June.
They will also meet Morocco and Brazil in Group C during the newly expanded 48-nation tournament.
With the top two teams and the eight best third-placed nations progressing, reaching the latter phases is a highly realistic objective.
A step into the unknown
Gilmour was born almost three years after his country’s last appearance at the global showpiece in France.
The playmaker admits the upcoming experience will be entirely novel for the current squad.
“The aim is the first game, to win, and then we take it step by step from there,” Gilmour explained.
“We want to go there with confidence and show how good a team Scotland is.”
Changing the national mentality
His club team-mate shares that unwavering belief in their collective potential.
The former Manchester United youth product insists the squad must discard any lingering feelings of inferiority on the world stage.
“We have to change the mentality of the fact that we might not be top 10, 15, whatever.”
Scott McTominay
“We need to change that mentality that we can play against anybody and do really well,” the 29-year-old added.
Progressing alongside long-serving stalwarts like John McGinn and Andy Robertson would represent a career pinnacle for the midfielder.
Praise for the architect
Much of this modern resurgence is credited to head coach Steve Clarke.
The 62-year-old tactician has successfully guided his country to three of the past four major tournament finals.
Clarke’s current contract expires following the conclusion of this summer’s campaign, marking a potential end to his historic tenure.
“He will go down as the greatest Scottish manager ever,” enthused the former Chelsea prospect.
“There’s been some tough times and, as a group, we have come together with the manager and got ourselves out of those difficult moments.”
Fans can gain deeper insight into the midfield duo’s Italian journey in the upcoming BBC documentary ‘Serie A Scots: Return to Naples’ on 1 May.
