McTominay, Ferguson and more: verdicts on Scotland stars in 2024-25 Serie A | OneFootball

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.

epa11751724 Napoli’s Scott McTominay celebrates after scoring the 1-0 lead during the Italian Serie A soccer match Torino FC vs SSC Napoli at the Olimpico Grande Torino Stadium in Turin, Italy, 01 December 2024. EPA-EFE/Alessandro Di Marco

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 close-range finish in the 1-1 draw 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.

EMPOLI, ITALY – OCTOBER 20: Billy Gilmour of SSC Napoli and Giovanni Simeone of SSC Napoli celebrate the victory after during the Serie A match between Empoli and Napoli at Stadio Carlo Castellani on October 20, 2024 in Empoli, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

The 23-year-old excelled as Napoli defeated Milan at San Siro and received a congratulatory hug from Conte after the crucial victory. While dislodging any of the midfield mainstays will be difficult, there is no doubt the former Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder can step up to the task again. The relentless training schedule implemented by Conte has pushed both Gilmour and McTominay to the limit.

The former Chelsea academy graduate is in peak condition as a result and will be ready when called upon again by the Partenopei.

Ferguson returned to full fitness ahead of schedule after an anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained in Bologna’s historic season in April.

As the driving force behind the Rossoblu’s first Champions League qualification in 60 years the multiskilled midfielder has been sorely missed.

Bologna’s players Riccardo Orsolini (R) and Lewis Ferguson celebrate the 1-0 victory after the Italian Serie A soccer match Bologna FC vs US Lecce at Renato Dall’Ara stadium in Bologna, Italy, 02 November 2024. EPA-EFE/SERENA CAMPANINI

Although the 25-year-old started against both Lille and Benfica in Europe’s top competition, coach Vincenzo Italiano has managed his minutes in Serie A.

The influence of the Bologna captain is clear even when deployed for a single half, as the Emilia-Romagna club recorded morale-boosting victories over Fiorentina and Torino in their last two games.

It is only a matter of time until the club captain is reinstated as a permanent starter as Bologna target a European place again.

Adams had spent his entire career in England before an unexpected move to Torino in July. He settled quickly by scoring and setting up another in just his second Serie A game as the Granata stunned Atalanta to claim a 2-1 win in early August. Two more followed in an away victory at Hellas Verona and loss at home against Lazio. Despite the early flourish the 28-year-old drew a blank in front of goal as Toro struggled after captain Duvan Zapata sustained a season ending cruciate ligament injury in October.

The striker – whose name is a dream for headline writers in Italy – reminded everyone of his talent with an incredible winner at Empoli earlier this month.

The former Southampton forward spotted that goalkeeper Devis Vasquez had strayed from his line and launched a perfectly placed shot from just beyond the half-way line into the net. It was not only a phenomenal moment of skill and precision but an immediate contender for goal of the season. A double-figure goal total would be a decent return for Adams as he continues to adjust in the Italian top flight.

Set-piece specialist Henderson arrived in Italy well before any of the current crop of Scotland internationals. A peripatetic journey across the country began when he joined Serie B club Bari from Celtic in January 2018. Now back at Empoli for the third time after spells at Hellas Verona, Lecce, and Palermo the central midfielder was a trusted starter as the Tuscan outsiders established an impressive six-game unbeaten run to begin the campaign.

M’Bala Nzola (C-L) and Empoli?s Liam Henderson in action during the Italian Serie A soccer match Spezia Calcio vs Empoli FC at the Alberto Picco stadium in La Spezia, Italy, 14 August 2022. EPA-EFE/FABIO FAGIOLINI

His game time diminished thereafter yet coach Roberto D’Aversa never lost faith in the flexible midfielder. Henderson has been a constant presence in the Empoli team since November and provided two crucial assists as they upset Fiorentina to progress to the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia. The former Scottish under-21 captain set up another goal with an intelligent run from a throw-in as Empoli pushed league leaders Atalanta all the way in a 3-2 defeat in Bergamo. Although he has never been called up to the senior Scotland squad, Henderson has more than proved he can cut it at the top level in Italy.

The everlasting rumour mill continues to connect more Scots with moves to Serie A.

Whether the five strong contingent increases or not there is no contesting the impression made by the current crop from a nation instrumental in shaping the modern version of the beautiful game.

@skasiewicz