McTominay, Ferguson and more: verdicts on Scotland stars in 2024-25 Serie A (football-italia.net)

NAPLES, ITALY – DECEMBER 08: Matteo Guendouzi of SS Lazio competes for the ball with Scott Francis McTominay of SSC Napoli during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and SS Lazio at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on December 08, 2024 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)

Between the departure of Graeme Souness and the arrival of Liam Henderson 32 years passed without a single Scottish player in Serie A.

This season, a record-breaking five Scots have been flying the Saltire in the Italian top flight.

Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour (both Napoli), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Che Adams (Torino) and Henderson (Empoli) have all established themselves as recognizable names in the ever-fluctuating calcio universe.

Whether a result of widening scout networks in a time of increasing financial constraints, the success of the Scottish national team in qualifying for Euro 2024 or merely a coincidence, it is a curious phenomenon in a league which already features players from 75 different nations.

It has been a campaign of contrasting fortunes for the quintet who play for teams spread across the league.

As the halfway point looms this term, it is worth examining the impact of the Serie A Scots.

After a highly publicized August move from Manchester United, it is not an overstatement to suggest that McTominay is in early contention for a place in the league’s team of the season. He might also have a title-winning medal at the end of May as well.

Adored by Napoli tifosi and praised by sections of the notoriously critical Italian media, the 28-year-old has established himself as one of the finest midfielders in Serie A.

Already an irreplaceable member of the Partenopei middle three with Stanislav Lobotka and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, the Scotland international’s tireless running and trademark final third charges have set fire to countless heat maps.

The stats read that he has netted three league goals – most notably a well taken

at reigning champions Inter – and three assists but his overall contribution cannot be counted in mere numbers. Although the 28-year-old has a license to advance forward it is his defensive diligence which has been a significant factor in keeping Antonio Conte’s side at the top end of the standings.

Midfield compatriot Gilmour shone in the injury-enforced absence of Lobotka and gained significant playing time in a five-match stretch from October to November.