Better the Red Devil you know
McTominay: Fletch has been my inspiration at United and I want to follow in his footsteps with Scots
SCOTT McTOMINAY insists former Scotland skipper Darren Fletcher has helped inspire his meteoric rise for club and country.
The Manchester United starlet revealed he’s taken counsel from the Stoke midfielder during a season where he’s made an Old Trafford breakthrough and pledged his allegiance to the Dark Blues.
Fletcher became a role model for the 21-year-old during his time as a senior player with the Red Devils as McTominay learned the ropes as a young apprentice.
And the United kid says the veteran has been a voice of encouragement and the perfect example as he revealed those who played a part in his development.
McTominay said: “There were multiple players but Darren was one. He trained with us a couple of times when I was younger and I looked up to him as a real role model and a leader.
“It was the same with others such as Michael Carrick who has really taken to me and helped me improve.
“We played Stoke earlier in the season and I spoke with Darren and he was really good with me.
“He told me to keep going and keep doing what I was doing and keep looking to improve every day by working hard.
“They are the messages I get every day from the manager ( Jose Mourinho) and from Alex McLeish and I feel these messages are so important for me. I just need to listen and hopefully do well.”
Uncertainty and debate over whether McTominay would opt to choose the birthplace of his father Frank rather than wait for an England call-up were brought to a halt by the midfielder who claims his dad was always going to be the winner.
McTominay said: “My dad was tremendously proud of me as were the rest of my family.
“That was the most important thing for me when I received the call-up. I have to thank the boss Alex McLeish who has given me the opportunity to come here with the Scotland squad. It’s a big honour.
“That’s what you work for your whole life. When you’re a young kid you want to come away with the national team and improve, do well and help the team so I’m really pleased.
“I was so happy when the manager took the time to come and speak to me. The conversation we had was relatively simple. I want to play for Scotland and I always have done, ever since I was a young boy.
“It was an incredibly proud moment for me when he did call me up so hopefully I can kick on and do well.”
McTominay’s rise to fame is a far cry from his early days as a late developer in physical stature but he admits those difficulties have stood him in good stead to cope with anything that comes his way in the future.
He said: “When I was younger there were a lot of lows and I did go through some difficult periods when I was 15 and 16 and growing. I wasn’t playing as much football as I wanted to.
“Obviously there have been the last few months where you have to expect what you are given in football.
“I feel that has helped me to get to
where I am strong mentally now. When things aren’t going quite right and things happen in a match I am strong mentally.
“That comes from the recent past when I was a wee bit smaller and had to deal with different things like not playing and not getting as much game time as I wanted.
“That is behind me now and I want to focus on my club and country. You work really hard to get to the place where you are at the minute.
“I just want to keep playing for my club and hopefully get a chance to play for my country and do well.”
Just what the Man United playmaker can add to Scotland will be unveiled when he is set make his debut against Costa Rica on Friday and he believes the Tartan Army will witness a player for whom passion is a defining feature.
McTominay added: “I’m a player who wants to put everything he has on to the pitch. It’s about having quality passes forward and I want to drive with the ball.
“It was really good to mix in with the rest of the boys and get to know them. There were positive vibes everywhere and I hope it can continue. Hopefully I can be a success for Scotland in future if I get a chance.”
GORDON PARKS