Scott McTominay to Undergo Heart Procedure After Diagnosis
Napoli have confirmed that Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay will undergo a minor heart procedure after the discovery of what the club describe as “a mild benign arrhythmia”.
The 29-year-old was withdrawn after 56 minutes of Sunday’s 2-1 Serie A defeat to Como, a change that at the time looked purely tactical. Medical checks since that match have revealed the issue, with Napoli stating he will have corrective treatment “in the coming days”.
The club expect McTominay to be back on the pitch after the international break in early October, a timeline the player himself echoed in a brief but upbeat message to supporters. Posting on Instagram, he wrote: “See you soon Napoli. I won't take long.”
For Napoli, the diagnosis brings relief as much as concern: the condition has been labelled mild and benign, and the procedure is described as minor. The expectation is that this is a short interruption, not a long-term setback.
For Scotland, the impact is more immediate. McTominay is now likely to miss Sebastien Pocognoli’s first four matches as national team head coach — a significant absence for a midfielder who has been central to Scotland’s recent campaigns.
Upcoming Fixtures
- A home-and-away double-header against Slovenia
- Meetings with North Macedonia
- Meetings with Switzerland
Pocognoli’s opening spell in charge will now start without one of his most experienced and versatile players.
According to the NHS, an arrhythmia occurs when the heart beats too fast, too slowly, or with an irregular rhythm. In McTominay’s case, the issue has been identified early and classified as mild, allowing both club and country to plan around a clear, relatively short recovery window.
Napoli will now manage the next few weeks without a midfielder who has quickly become an important presence in their squad. Scotland, meanwhile, must navigate the start of a new era without one of their on-field leaders — and hope that when October arrives, McTominay’s return is exactly as swift as he has promised.
