Scotland's ambitions at the World Cup have been significantly bolstered by the return of key midfielder Scott McTominay to full training. The Napoli player participated in Friday's session in Foxborough, Massachusetts, dispelling fears over his fitness following a bout of illness. McTominay had been absent from Thursday's training in Charlotte, North Carolina, due to an upset stomach, prompting concerns about his availability for Scotland's opening fixture.
Following Thursday's session, the squad travelled to Boston, with reports indicating that the 29-year-old journeyed separately alongside a doctor as a precautionary measure. His reintegration into the main group is a considerable relief for manager Steve Clarke, given McTominay's pivotal role in the national side. Scotland are making their first World Cup appearance in 28 years, and the midfielder's presence is considered crucial for their aspirations of progressing beyond the group stage for the first time in their history.
McTominay boasts an impressive scoring record for Scotland, having netted 15 goals in 70 international appearances. This includes the memorable overhead-kick opener in last November's 4-2 victory over Denmark, which secured their qualification for the tournament, and a goal in last Saturday's 4-0 friendly win against Bolivia. His ability to contribute both defensively and in attack makes him an indispensable asset for Clarke's squad.
However, not all injury news is positive for the Scottish camp. Defender Scott McKenna once again sat out training due to a persistent knock, raising doubts over his participation in the crucial Haiti clash at Gillette Stadium. Meanwhile, midfielder Billy Gilmour, who is unfortunately sidelined for the entire tournament with a knee injury sustained against Curacao, joined the squad on Thursday and observed from the sidelines, offering support to his teammates.
Scotland's World Cup campaign kicks off this weekend against Haiti, a fixture widely seen as a must-win encounter before they face significantly tougher challenges. Their subsequent group matches are against five-time champions Brazil and 2022 semi-finalists Morocco. Progressing from this challenging group would represent a historic achievement for the nation, and McTominay's fitness will be instrumental to their chances.