McTominay reveals surprise Ferguson phone call after Napoli title and Scotland's World Cup qualification

Scott McTominay received an unannounced phone call from Sir Alex Ferguson during a season in which he won the Serie A title with Napoli and helped Scotland qualify for their first World Cup since 1998.

The Scottish midfielder left Manchester United for Napoli in August 2024 and quickly became a cult figure at the club, playing a central role in their league triumph. His form for both club and country has drawn widespread attention, and it appears Ferguson was among those keeping tabs on his progress.

McTominay told GQ that he almost missed the call entirely. “It was ‘No Caller ID’. I answered and just said ‘Hello?’, because I answer every call. I feel like I have to,” he said. “And he just said, ‘How are you doing, son?’ And so I knew fairly quickly who it was.”

The 28-year-old described the conversation as warmer and more low-key than might be expected from one of football’s most celebrated managers. “We had a nice catch-up. It was probably more normal than what people would think — just like your friend calling you up, for example, and asking how you’re getting on,” McTominay said. “But, yeah, it was really special.”

Having been a teenager when Ferguson retired from United in 2013, McTominay said the gesture carried particular weight. “I was only a young kid when he was leaving. So for him to think of me was extremely special, because he’s the greatest to ever do it, in my opinion.”

With Scotland set to compete at the 2026 World Cup in North America, McTominay was clear that the squad has no intention of treating the tournament as a ceremonial appearance. “There’s no time to be shy, to be honest. You have to take challenges like this head-on,” he said. “You have to give your absolute maximum in every single game, regardless of whether it’s for your club or your country. Just go there with your chest out and give a good account of yourself.”

Scotland’s qualification ends a 28-year absence from the World Cup finals, and McTominay — now one of the team’s most influential players — appears determined to ensure the return is a meaningful one.