Scotland talisman praised for 'wise' summer decision as former EPL icon poses 'tough' Steve Clarke question

The Scotland talisman brought down the curtain on his 17-year association with the Old Trafford club when he joined international team-mate Billy Gilmour in moving to Napoli on deadline day, moving to the Serie A club for a fee of £30million.

McTominay received a rapturous welcome from Napoli fans when he arrived at Naples-Capodichino International Airport to complete the transfer and 27-year-old hasn’t looked back since. Exploding onto the scene at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, the Scot has scored two goals in his first five games, which has led Shearer to lavish praise on the Tartan Army favourite during an interview with Betfair.

“He's already scored a couple of goals,” said Shearer “He’s developing a good relationship with Romelu Lukaku, and it looks like he's enjoying it so from his point of view, he's clearly made the right decision to leave Manchester United. I wonder what McTominay thinks, looking back at what Man United are doing this season - or rather what they are not doing in terms of performances on the pitch.

“Scott will look at himself and think he's made the right decision because it looks as if the move to Napoli is going well for him. It was a wise decision to move countries and experience something different, not only on a football pitch but in life as well.”

McTominay returns to international action this week, as Scotland gear up for their Nations League double-header against Croatia and Portugal. The Tartan Army are in a barren run of form, winning just one of their 13 games and, with several key players ruled out of the squad due to injury, Shearer thinks Steve Clarke will find it difficult to mastermind an unexpected victory.

“It's great to be able to go and play all these games,” he said. “But in terms of results and performances, it's always going to be tough for Scotland mixing it with the big boys. John McGinn is injured, he's one of their better players and if Scotland are going to compete at this level, they need every one of their players in tip top condition. It'd be tough for them even if they had a full squad to choose from.”