Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay is heading to Euro 2024 with Scotland.
When Scotland fans looked at the Euro 2024 qualifying schedule, they would have pencilled in last night’s match with Norway as a decisive fixture.
Instead, it was a dead-rubber, with Scotland already securing qualification to next year’s finals in advance, before last night’s 3-3 draw.
Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay was a key part of their qualification, scoring seven goals along the way to finish as his country’s top scorer, with an impressive brace in a victory against Spain along the way.
Scotland eliminate Norway
Erling Haaland did not even play for Norway last night due to injury, although ESPN report it is not serious. If the game had some stakes to it, he probably would have done.
He had scored six games in qualification, fewer than Manchester United’s McTominay. The Manchester City striker has never played at an international tournament, and will be sitting out next summer once again.
Erling Haaland is regarded as one of the world’s best players, but his Norway side were not good enough to finish above Scotland in the qualification table.
Fair or not, missing an international tournament remains a gap on his glittering CV, and many have been pointing out that lesser teams have made it, with Scotland a case in point.
Manchester United fans comment
McTominay is an underrated player, but he has gained the admiration of football fans across the world with his international performances for Scotland over the past year.
Manchester United fans on social media have been pointing out how he managed to get the job done and ‘drag’ his side to next year’s finals, while Haaland – and Martin Odegaard – could not.
One fan wrote: “McTominay dragged Scotland to the Euros and Haaland didn’t even get close with Norway. Can’t believe City fans wanted him to win the Ballon D’or.”
Another added: “Haaland really watched on as Scott McTominay outscored him and took his country to the main stage over him.”
Further comments read: “McTominay just took Scotland to the Euros, Haaland has no excuse,” and “Scott McTominay has done what Odegaard and Haaland couldn’t do combined.”
Another supporter said: “I see Scott McTominay carry Scotland and 20-year-old Hojlund carry Denmark, you do have to ask questions of Haaland and Odegaard.”
This was echoed by another fan, who noted: “McTominay carrying his country on his back to the Euros whilst Haaland and Odegaard can’t compete, I know who my star boy is.”
One took it to a further extreme, commenting: “I’m genuinely not joking when I say give McTominay the chances Haaland got at City last season he scores at LEAST 40 goals over all competitions.”
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