Scott McTominay Recalls Heart Procedure Just Two Days Before Scotland’s World Cup Opener

Scott McTominay has spoken about the shock of undergoing a heart procedure just 48 hours before Scotland began its World Cup campaign, saying the timing made an already difficult tournament even harder to process. The midfielder had revealed in September that doctors found a mild, benign arrhythmia and that he would need a minor procedure. The issue also kept him out of Scotland’s first four Nations League matches under manager Sebastien Pocognoli. He is now expected to return for the closing two fixtures, against North Macedonia at home and Switzerland away. Looking back on the build-up to Scotland’s opening match against Haiti, McTominay said he had been in good condition after preparing for the tournament. Then, shortly before the game, he had to undergo what he described as a shock to his heart. “You are thinking, ‘How has this happened?’” he recalled, while acknowledging that footballers sometimes have to respond to events beyond their control. He described being in a hospital bed, facing anaesthesia, so close to the start of a World Cup as “not ideal”. McTominay said the experience affected him mentally and that Scotland’s disappointing campaign left him reflecting on what the team might have achieved. He said it was among the biggest disappointments of his career. The player added that taking a break after the tournament helped him recover and regain perspective. Although he said he does not usually dwell on setbacks, this one took a couple of weeks to move past. Now, as he prepares to rejoin Scotland, McTominay says he is ready to refresh and get his international career moving again.