Scott McTominay to Undergo Surgery for Heart Issue

Scott McTominay will miss Scotland’s upcoming Nations League campaign after Napoli confirmed the midfielder is to undergo corrective surgery for a minor heart issue.

The Serie A club announced on Tuesday that the former Manchester United player has been diagnosed with what they described as “a mild benign arrhythmia” – an irregular heart rhythm considered non-serious and not a significant threat to his overall health.

Even so, the decision has been made to act now.

“Following the onset of a mild benign arrhythmia, Scott McTominay will undergo corrective surgery using a cardiac arrhythmia ablation in the coming days,” read a brief Napoli statement. “He will be available again after the international break.”

The procedure rules McTominay out of Napoli’s fixtures in September, including next week’s Champions League meeting with Arsenal, a tie in which he would have been expected to play a central role.

The timing also hits Scotland. New head coach Sebastien Pocognoli will be without one of his key figures for his first four matches in charge, with McTominay sidelined for the Nations League double-header against Slovenia, as well as clashes with Switzerland and North Macedonia.

For club and country, it is a short-term loss. The expectation, though, is clear: deal with the problem now, and have McTominay back driving midfields again once the international window closes.