Napoli's hero broke the deadlock with a trademark strike in the style of his stunning opener against Denmark
11:01, 26 Nov 2025
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Scott McTominay
Sizzling Scott McTominay stands on the brink of ripping up the Champions League record books after another bicycle kick sealed a vital 2-0 win for Napoli over Qarabag.
The hosts – paying a special tribute to club icon Diego Maradona – huffed and puffed before their talismanic hero broke the deadlock with a trademark strike in the style of his stunning opener against Denmark which set Scotland towards World Cup glory. McTominay was aided by a timely deflection but he now only needs one goal in his final three league phase games for the Naples side to become the top Scottish marksmen in the history of the Champions League.
No Scot has ever scored more than three goals in a campaign as the former Manchester United standout joins Kenny Miller and John McGinn who both scored three with Celtic (06/07) and Aston Villa (24/25) respectively. McTominay was beaming after the statement win over the Azerbaijan side and he admitted he is more up for matching Antonio Conte's exacting standards.
Speaking after the win, he said: “I want to help the team. The coach asks for high standards, whether I score or not, The crowd here is iconic. I think of the dreams we’ve already achieved and those we still want to achieve for this club.”
Meanwhile, former Liverpool standout Didi Hamman reckons McTominay is in the same class as £90m Arsenal star man Declan Rice.
The England star has moved his game to new heights both with the Gunners and under the guidance of Thomas Tuchel with England.
And Hamman reckons McTominay's game bears a resemblance to Rice after the Scot was linked with a blockbuster return to the Premier League with Arsenal.
Speaking to CoinCasino.com, the former German international said: “I can see Scott McTominay back in the Premier League. He played at Manchester United when they didn't have a good time. Not a very successful time and he probably didn't get the credit.
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“He was an important player, but he was probably never really a regular over the few years he's been there. He scored a fantastic overhead-kick for Scotland.
“When it comes to Arsenal, I think he's pretty similar, I'd say to Declan Rice. He likes to roam around, Declan Rice. He used to be a holding midfielder, now he's really everywhere.
"Taking set pieces, scoring goals. But yeah, I'm pretty sure that there'll be a lot of interest and maybe takers, but he's loved in Napoli. I'm not sure he wants to leave because if they make you one of them, it's probably not that easy to leave.”