Scott McTominay following Robert Lewandowski template in bid to excel for Scotland and Manchester United

Scott McTominay has only had one previous fleeting experience of being up close and personal with Robert Lewandowski.

But the Scotland midfielder has long admired the brilliant and durable Poland striker whom he regards as an ideal role model for his own ambitions of improvement and longevity.

McTominay is set to face Lewandowski at Hampden on Thursday night in the friendly fixture which has replaced Scotland’s delayed World Cup play-off semi-final against Ukraine.

For the 25-year-old Manchester United player, the opportunity to share a pitch with the Bayern Munich superstar is one he relishes.

“I’ve never played against him properly before,” said McTominay. “I played against him in a friendly for Manchester United away to Bayern (in 2018).

“Obviously, his goal record speaks for itself - he’s a phenomenal footballer. But the way he looks after his body, it’s something I aspire to be like when I’m a bit older. You get what you put into football.

“He obviously works extremely hard at his game and at looking after himself. He deserves every credit and all the success in the world for that.

“It’s what football’s about, you always want to improve. Doing things in your spare time looking to improve, looking at every detail. As you get older, you start being more wise about your body and the way you can adapt to certain situations in football and off the pitch as well.

“I’m just maintaining similar to what I used to do when I was 18, 19, the gym work and the analysis work, things I’ve been really conscious of over the years. It’s always benefited me and it’s what I’ll continue to do.

“Every year, you want to get better and better as a player and obviously as a person as well.

“Now I’m getting more confidence and becoming more