Scott McTominay to Undergo Minor Heart Procedure

Napoli have confirmed that Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay will undergo a minor heart procedure after the discovery of what the club described as “a mild benign arrhythmia”.

The 29-year-old was withdrawn after 56 minutes of Napoli’s 2-1 Serie A defeat by Como on Sunday, with subsequent checks revealing the issue. The club say he will have corrective treatment “in the coming days” and are confident he will be back in action after the international break in early October.

For Napoli, the timeline offers reassurance. For Scotland, it brings an immediate headache.

Blow for Pocognoli’s Scotland Start

McTominay’s enforced spell on the sidelines means he is likely to miss Sebastien Pocognoli’s first four matches as Scotland head coach. Those games – a home-and-away double-header against Slovenia, followed by clashes with North Macedonia and Switzerland in the Nations League – were already shaping up as a key early test of the new regime.

Now Pocognoli is set to start that journey without one of his most experienced and versatile midfielders.

McTominay has been a central figure for Scotland in recent years, often delivering big moments in qualification campaigns. His absence strips both leadership and goal threat from a squad adjusting to a new voice on the touchline.

What the Condition Means

Napoli have stressed the issue is mild and benign. According to the NHS, an arrhythmia is an irregular heartbeat – the heart can beat too fast, too slowly, or in an uneven rhythm.

The Italian club’s expectation that McTominay will return shortly after the October international window underlines the controlled nature of the situation. This is corrective, not career-threatening.

For now, though, Scotland must plan without him as a new era begins, while Napoli wait for a key midfielder to rejoin their Serie A campaign once his heart rhythm has been safely corrected.