Scott McTominay has admitted that he has been mercilessly teasing his Napoli teammate Rasmus Hojlund after Scotland’s dramatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup. The midfielder, now a cult figure in Italy, shared that he and fellow Scot Billy Gilmour have been constantly reminding the Danish striker about his stunning overhead kick that sealed Scotland’s World Cup berth at Denmark’s expense.

Training sessions at Napoli have turned into playful banter sessions, with McTominay making sure Hojlund doesn’t forget that unforgettable night. His spectacular overhead strike not only secured Scotland’s ticket to the 2026 World Cup but also knocked Denmark out, giving McTominay and Gilmour plenty of material to rib their teammate about at the club.

“I know Rasmus very well. He’s a great lad, and we share plenty of jokes at training. But he can’t bear to watch that overhead kick anymore,” McTominay revealed in an interview with GQ. When asked if he had sent Hojlund a GIF of the goal, he replied that he and Gilmour went even further. “Oh, that would’ve been too soft. We plastered every picture from that match all over his locker—me and Billy did it together,” he said with a laugh.

McTominay’s goal has gone beyond football, becoming a part of Scottish cultural lore. The Bank of Scotland even issued a limited-edition £20 note featuring the overhead kick to commemorate the nation’s first World Cup qualification in 28 years. A large mural depicting the iconic moment now overlooks Hampden Park, though McTominay remains modest about his newfound fame.

“I’m really thankful for it—massive shout-out to Adidas for coming up with something so special—but I do feel a bit… not embarrassed, but it’s strange seeing my face up there where everyone trains. I’m quite a low-key person. Of course, it’s an incredible honour, but seeing my big head on a building feels surreal. It’s hard to describe how special that is,” he reflected.

Following a 2025 Ballon d’Or nomination and his commanding performances in midfield, speculation about a Premier League return began circulating. However, Napoli have firmly resisted any interest from English sides or clubs in the Saudi Pro League. The club’s management regard McTominay as central to their long-term plans under their incoming coaching setup.

McTominay himself seems content in Naples, brushing off any transfer rumours. “My agent hasn’t spoken to anyone about my future,” he stated. “I’m very happy here, and as far as I’m concerned, I’m a Napoli player—that’s all that matters to me.”

Despite settling into life in Italy, McTominay remains grounded and credits Sir Alex Ferguson’s influence for shaping his mindset. The legendary former Manchester United manager continues to keep an eye on his progress and even reached out recently. “He’s the greatest to ever do it,” McTominay said. “Every single thing he says, you take it in, and you try to use it moving forward.”

That motivation will be crucial as McTominay leads Scotland into their first World Cup in nearly three decades. Focused on making history, he aims to guide his nation beyond the group stages for the first time ever.

“What I want, even during the preparation, is to savour every second,” he said. “I don’t want to look back when I’m 40 or 50 and think I was too nervous to enjoy it. As I’ve grown older, I’ve realised football careers are short. If you don’t appreciate the moments, they pass by before you know it. Now that I’m more experienced, I can truly enjoy them—it means a lot more now.”