McTominay is fighting a losing battle with a stomach bug

It is June 11, 2026, and Scotland is staring down the barrel of their World Cup opener against Haiti with the grace of a toddler trying to plate a steak dinner. Scott McTominay, the absolute engine room of this national side, missed training on Thursday. The cause? A stomach bug. Because of course it is.

We are just days away from Saturday’s kickoff, and the Tartan Army is collectively holding its breath harder than a diver at the bottom of the North Sea. If he misses out, Steve Clarke is looking at a midfield that suddenly lacks the physical presence needed to bully Haiti off the ball. It is the kind of chaotic preparation that makes you wonder if the squad’s pre-tournament regime involved eating questionable stadium street food.

Kenny McLean went on record to say, "Hopefully that doesn’t spread," which is the most terrifying thing a teammate can say before a global tournament. You do not want a virus running through a locker room like a heat-seeking missile during a group stage. It is bad enough trying to tactical-nut Haiti without worrying about who might sprint to the portable bathroom in the 60th minute.

The squad depth is going to be tested early

As reported by The Guardian, the medical team is working overtime to get their man back on the pitch. This is a classic Scotland situation. The stakes are finally high, the lights are bright, and the universe decides that your best player needs to spend his afternoon staring at a porcelain bowl instead of rehearsing set-pieces.

If McTominay isn’t at 100 percent, the tactical burden shifts instantly. Clarke has to decide whether to play it safe or gamble on a player who might have the energy of a damp sponge. It reminds me of those vintage panic moves we saw during Newcastle's pursuit of Munoz; when you’re desperate, you ignore the red flags and hope for a miracle.

We have all seen tournament runs derailed by less. One wrong rotation, one tired set of legs, and suddenly you are chasing the game against a Haitian side that has absolutely nothing to lose. It is the joy and the misery of being a Scotland fan. You show up with high hopes and a sturdy digestive tract, only to have the latter betray you before someone even kicks the ball.

Let’s be real for a second: if Scotland treats this opener like they treated their warm-up logistics, we are in for a long weekend. Getting sick is part of the game, but doing it on the eve of the biggest stage? That’s the sort of bad luck that usually requires an exorcist. I’m betting they get him hydrated, feed him some bland porridge, and shove him out there anyway.

If they don't, we are going to see a desperate, disjointed performance that will be discussed in every pub in Glasgow for the next decade. Keep your eyes on the team sheet on Saturday. If McTominay isn’t in the starting eleven, it won't just be the fans feeling sick.