Scott McTominay talent spotter beams with Scotland pride as he revels in Man Utd star's journey

Scott McTominay sent Hampden wild as he produced on the biggest stage against the former world champion and three-time Euro kings.

But even as he was slaying Spain at a raucous National Stadium, the fellow Scot who helped send the midfield master on the road to stardom as a tiny five-year old could still see the little kid he first worked with on the pitches of Preston. Dundee-born Charlie Jackson, co-founder of Matrix Soccer Academy in Clitheroe, was head of Manchester United’s North West Development Centre when he first encountered McTominay. The 53-year-old knew even at that age the midfielder was a special talent and he has been proved right after being him develop into a star for club and country.

It was on Tuesday night the 26-year-old Red Devils ace enjoyed his finest moment in the dark blue of Scotland with a double against the Spaniards which came just days after his late brace after coming off the bench against Cyprus in the opening Euro 2024 qualifying Group A fixture. Not a bad international break at all for McTominay.

And few people were as proud as Jackson, who was with McTominay on the day he signed for United, at seeing him send his rattled fierce club rival Rodri and Co packing as the talent spotter raced home from his Football Academy to see the midfielder steal the show.

Jackson left Tayside at an early age but is still fiercely patriotic and was delighted when McTominay chose to represent Scotland. The midfielder was born in England and even met Gareth Southgate but then Scotland boss Alex McLeish won the battle for him to pull on the dark blue.

His former coach was at Hampden to see him win the first of his 36 caps in a friendly against Costa Rica. And couldn’t be happier at his decision after