Scotland are less than a month away from appearing in their first World Cup for 28 years and the Tartan Army are readied to cross the Atlantic full of confidence, despite losing both of their March friendlies, to Japan and the Ivory Coast.

Topping their qualifying group is the chief cause of that, the Scots losing only one of their six commitments across a campaign that ended in unforgettable late drama when hosting Denmark.

Moreover, manager Steve Clarke has forged a hard-working and honest collective, who are greater than the sum of their parts. Unquestionably theirs will be one of the most unified squads participating in the global event this summer.

Yet, undermining that optimism – to a degree at least – is the widely accepted truth that togetherness only gets teams so far when encountering the world’s elite. To truly excel, a side requires a superstar in their ranks, a special kind of player capable of doing special things.

According to former Scottish international forward Paul Dickov, however, they do possess that individual, in the form of Scott McTominay, who once again this season has seriously impressed after enjoying a remarkable career renaissance with Napoli in Serie A.

Three goals scored in his last six outings reveals the player heads to the World Cup in form while a terrific volley vs Inter Milan last October was voted goal of the month in the Italian top-flight.

Last December he helped Gli Azzurri secure a Supercoppa Italiana, only the club’s third in their 99 years of existence.

Building on a headline-grabbing debut season in Naples, that saw him voted Serie A Footballer of the Year, McTominay will join up with his international team-mates later this month aware that a nation’s hopes rests on his broad shoulders.

Dickov though insists the 29-year-old can be relied upon to meet such high expectations, saying recently:

“The influence that Scott has on Scotland and his Napoli team is huge.”

“I’m delighted he got his move away (from Manchester United) and is showing everybody his true worth, and he just seems to be getting better and better.”

The ex-Manchester City striker then went on to namecheck another fantastic talent from the UK, who directly inspired his unfancied nation to great heights at a major tournament.  

“Scott McTominay and Gareth Bale are two completely different players in terms of style – but they certainly both carry that same influence on the team and on the squad.”

It was a pointed comparison given that Gordon Strachan – when manager of Scotland – would often lament the absence of a world-class Scot, to help propel his side into over-achieving.

Indeed, Strachan would routinely use Bale, and Wales, as an example of what his team lacked.

So, do Scotland finally have their inspirational superstar, to lead them into battle next month against Brazil, Morocco and Haiti? Certainly, McTominay’s presence is cause enough for that optimism.