Will Scott McTominay change his shirt number?
Scott McTominay has opened up on why he chooses to keep his relatively ‘high’ shirt number.
The midfielder was given the no.39 before making his debut against Arsenal in May 2017 and has kept it ever since, despite surpassing 100 first-team appearances and becoming an increasingly influential player.
It’s normal for Academy graduates to be given such numbers, but generally they will change as they rise in stature at the club.
It’s normal for Academy graduates to be given such numbers, but generally they will change as they rise in stature at the club.
The player who wore the no.39 before McTominay – Marcus Rashford – being a classic example.
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All 14 of McTominay’s first-team goals
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And ahead of a recent fans’ Q&A with the Scotland international, we received lots of questions on the issue.
But McTominay says he has given the matter almost no thought whatsoever, and is happy to hold on to what he has.
“No. 39 obviously is special, when you first get your number,” explained Scott. “Nobody has ever said change your number – there’s not been a single conversation about changing my number. Not three years, two years or a year ago.
“Nothing has ever been said about it. I’m perfectly fine with that. I’ve never even asked myself and never thought or brought it up in conversation to change my number. I’m perfectly fine, so 39. I see 39 everywhere now, I can’t get it out of my head!”
The industrious and versatile United star was one of the few Reds to really shine in the disappointing UEFA Europa League final with Villarreal, and is currently with his national side, who are preparing for their first major tournament in 23 years.
For Scotland, McTominay currently wears no.4 – perhaps a reflection of his role at international level, where he often plays in defence at the behest of manager Steve Clarke.
Scott admitted he had no memories of the 1998 World Cup – Scotland’s last visit to a summer tournament – and that he can’t wait to get started.
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“I was born in 1996!” he laughed. “So there’s expectations, of course, there [always] are when you’re playing international football. There are big expectations on everybody to do well.
“For us, it’s a free hit. We haven’t been to the Euros in many, many years and we’ve got to embrace it, suck it all in and go and play well.”
Scotland begin their Euro 2020 bid later today (14 June) at Hampden Park, where they will face Czech Republic, before a much-anticipated, all-British clash with England four days later.
Scotland begin their Euro 2020 bid later today (14 June) at Hampden Park, where they will face Czech Republic, before a much-anticipated, all-British clash with England four days later.
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