Scott McTominay reveals Diego Maradona 'in our head and hearts' as he looks to replicate Napoli magic with Scotland

Scott McTominay wasn’t even born when Diego Maradona last strutted his stuff in the famous sky blue of Napoli. But the Scotland midfielder didn’t need a moment’s education on the man who still consumes the hearts and minds of everyone at the Serie A giants 33 years after leaving Naples.

Not when his presence could still be felt the second he walked through the doors of the stadium bearing the Argentinian legend’s name in the summer. McTominay admits entering the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona back in August as a Napoli player was surreal.

Not because it was his first day since the age of five that he was no longer associated with Manchester United. But because he knew he was about to walk in the footsteps of the smallest footballing giant of all time who dragged Napoli out of the doldrums and won two Serie A titles, a Coppa Italia, the Suppercopa and the UEFA Cup in seven years in Campania.

This month marks the fourth anniversary of Maradona’s untimely passing. But for McTominay, the player he holds as the greatest ever remains an inspiration to the current squad every single day.

He said: “Yeah very much so. He is obviously the most iconic footballer to ever walk and play the game. When I first walked into the stadium it was a surreal feeling - knowing he is an icon, an absolute legend of football.

“He is heavily in our hearts in Naples. The people absolutely adore him which is a huge factor. Because of how well he played for them and the things he did in Naples. So for us, he is definitely in our head and hearts.”

Thirty-three years on from Maradona’s exit the Napoli faithful have a new midfield maestro to celebrate.

McTominay’s start to life in southern Italy could hardly have gone sweeter with the club sitting top of