Scott McTominay to Undergo Heart Surgery, Missing Nations League Matches

Scott McTominay will miss Scotland’s upcoming Nations League campaign after Napoli confirmed the midfielder is to undergo corrective surgery for a minor heart issue.

The Serie A club announced on Tuesday that the former Manchester United man has been diagnosed with “a mild benign arrhythmia” – an irregular heart rhythm described as non-serious and carrying no significant risk to his overall health.

Napoli stated that McTominay will undergo a cardiac arrhythmia ablation in the coming days, a procedure designed to correct the rhythm problem. The club expect only a short lay-off, but the timing is costly.

He is ruled out of Napoli’s fixtures in September, including next week’s Champions League clash with Arsenal, depriving the Italian side of one of their key midfield figures at a pivotal early point in their European campaign.

The knock-on effect hits Scotland as well. McTominay will sit out Sebastien Pocognoli’s first four matches in charge of the national team, missing the Nations League double-header against Slovenia as well as meetings with Switzerland and North Macedonia.

“Following the onset of a mild benign arrhythmia, Scott McTominay will undergo corrective surgery using a cardiac arrhythmia ablation in the coming days,” Napoli said in a brief statement, adding: “He will be available again after the international break.”

For club and country, the wait now begins for one of their most influential midfielders to be declared ready to return.