Do it for Denis! McTominay is eager to honour Scots icon Law with Hampden win over Greece
- Scotland are 1-0 ahead from the first leg in their Nations League play-off
- Having come through the system at Manchester United, the midfielder is all too aware of the Lawman’s legacy
- Law remains Scotland’s joint-record top scorer on 30 goals, alongside Kenny Dalglish
Scott McTominay wants to make sure the memory of the late Denis Law is honoured at Hampden by delivering a win for Scotland over Greece in the Nations League play-offs.
The national stadium will rise in honour of Law, who died in January aged 84 after being diagnosed with dementia, before kick-off this evening with a special tifo display planned and the cover of the official match programme bearing the image of the former Manchester United and Manchester City striker.
Law remains Scotland’s joint-top scorer with Kenny Dalglish, having managed 30 goals in 55 games, and Napoli star McTominay, who knows Law’s legacy well after coming through the ranks at Old Trafford, understands the importance of marking the passing of a legend in the right way.
Asked if the pre-match ceremony in Law’s honour gives an extra incentive to get the required result against the Greeks, with the Scots already 1-0 up from last Thursday’s first leg in Piraeus, he replied: ‘Yes, of course.
‘He was an incredible football player for both United and Scotland. For us to be following in the footsteps of someone as great as that is truly special.’
National coach Steve Clarke also hopes his side can produce the kind of performance needed to ensure this celebration of Law’s life and times is followed by further jubilation over a result that keeps Scotland in the top tier of the Nations League.
McTominay will take inspiration from Law as he and Scotland look to get the job done against Greece
Scotland and Manchester United icon law died earlier this year after a battle with dementia aged 84
‘It is the first chance we have had to commemorate Denis’s passing, so I am sure the crowd and the team and everyone will appreciate it,’ he stated.
Clarke is also keen to use tonight’s showdown to put some doubts into Greek minds before they face off again in the World Cup qualifiers, which kick off in September.
Asked if winning this clash would be of benefit psychologically, he said: ‘Yeah, it could be. We’ve got a one-goal lead coming into the game and, for me, in my head, I want to win this tie and show them that Hampden is a difficult place to come.
‘Hopefully, it will be a difficult game for them and it is going to be difficult when they come back here in October.
‘It is a very important game. But we are going to set up to try to win. Hopefully, we can put a marker down for the World Cup games coming up.’
Meanwhile, Greece manager Ivan Jovanovic has challenged his side to conjure another big away victory as they bid to climb into the top tier of the Nations League.
Manager Steve Clarke looks on in training ahead of the return leg at Hampden
The Greeks appear to be on the rise with an array of young players emerging, including much-vaunted 17-year-old Genk midfielder Konstantinos Karetsas, who made his debut as a substitute in the first-leg defeat at home to the Scots.
Jovanovic’s team showed their quality with three consecutive away wins over Ireland, England and Finland in the closing months of 2024 and they must continue that trend if they are to overturn their deficit and earn promotion from League B to League A.
‘In London, when we won at Wembley, we played a perfect game,’ said Serbian Jovanovic, speaking through a translator. ‘That will be very important if we are able to win at Hampden.
‘Scotland are at a higher level than they were during the Euros and it’s clear that they have benefited from the experience.’
