Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho played a role in Scott McTominay choosing to represent Scotland, according to former boss Alex McLeish.
McTominay has scored four goals in his last two matches for the national team, with Steve Clarke's side securing a 3-0 victory over Cyprus on Saturday before defeating Spain 2-0 on Tuesday night. The 26-year-old midfielder grabbed a brace off the bench in the win at the weekend, before scoring twice in the shock triumph over the Spaniards.
The United man, who has made 38 appearances for the national side, registering five goals, was born in England, but qualifies for Scotland through his father. Former Scotland manager McLeish has since revealed that he first watched McTominay in 2018 - having spoken to Mourinho about the midfielder.
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McLeish, speaking to he told STV, said: "Jose Mourinho was quite vociferous at the time, saying 'Alex, you need to come down here and watch big Scott and get him into that Scotland team'.
"I went through the elements that night, if you remember the ‘Beast from the East’ and I ended up getting to Manchester at about four in the morning.
"It was worth it all the way when you see the progress the big man has made, not just with Scotland but with Manchester United."
The former international boss also lauded McTominay for his personal showing against Spain in midweek, suggesting the 26-year-old played like a 'No.10' in the 2-0 win.
"It’s just one of these brilliant, historic games," he added. "It takes me back a long way to the Spain victory in 1984, and the Paris game. Great memories and that triggered many of them. That performance last night was exceptional.
"The resilience of the guys impressed me. The Spaniards passed the ball about and are really brilliant architects of the ball. That’s a huge part of their game.
"Scotland did the basics very well. They were organised well, defended well and of course getting two goals from big Scott McTominay coming on like a number ten with the runs he was making and phenomenal goalscoring. It’s a real boost for the nation."
McTominay has fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford following the arrivals of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen last summer, but the Scotsman has still made 32 appearances in all competitions under Erik ten Hag this term.
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