Scott McTominay performs Champions League heroics with first Napoli goals since heart operation
Scotland midfielder nets brilliant double in seven-goal thriller and hints at ‘amazing’ news
Scott McTominay scored his first goals since returning from a heart operation to help Napoli secure a Champions League victory over Bodo/Glimt in a seven-goal thriller on Tuesday night.
The Scotland midfielder netted twice in the 4-3 win in Naples in only his second start for the Serie A side since making his comeback after undergoing a procedure in September to correct a mild, benign arrhythmia.
McTominay struck his first four minutes before half-time to put Napoli 2-1 up, racing into the box to collect a pass from Kevin De Bruyne before sending a deflected effort into the net past goalkeeper Nikita Haikin.
It came after Jens Petter Hauge had equalised for Bodo/Glimt to cancel out Matteo Politano's first minute opener for the hosts at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.
The Norwegians levelled for a second time through Anreas Hemlersen on 63 minutes before McTominay grabbed his second on 75 minutes with a towering header from a Politano cross to put Napoli back in front.
An Odin Bjortuft own goal in the 88th minute put Napoli 4-2 ahead before Sondre Fet grabbed another consolation goal for Bodo in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
The result provided Napoli with their first points in this season’s Champions League after the Italians opened their campaign with defeats by Arsenal and Villarreal without their talismanic Scot.
McTominay's heroic display is a welcome boost for Scotland boss Sebastien Pocognoli ahead of next month's Nations League fixtures after he was unable to call upon the 29-year-old for his maiden camp due to the enforced medical absence.
“It’s what it’s about, you’ve got to get your head down and work,” McTominay told Sky Sport Italia in his post-match interview. “That doesn’t mean it’s a massive change, we know we have to do better, but it’s a start with four goals.
“I have to get better, I have to do more of the fitness programme to get back to a top level and I feel like I’m nearly there. We need to keep pushing and I always will do throughout my career. I just want to help the team as much as I can and nights like this for our fans are special.”
Asked about his celebration after his second goal - placing the ball under his shirt to mimick a baby bump - the former Manchester United man hinted at some impending pregnancy news. “It’s amazing!” he grinned. McTominay is engaged to the model and influencer Cam Reading.
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