Scott McTominay's Heart Surgery Success and Return to Training

Napoli say Scott McTominay’s heart surgery “was a complete success” and expect the Scotland midfielder back in training before the month is out.

The 29-year-old underwent an ablation procedure on Tuesday morning at Spire Manchester Hospital, a minimally invasive operation used to correct irregular heart rhythms. The issue was picked up after he was taken off 56 minutes into Napoli’s 2-1 Serie A defeat by Como on 30 August, when tests revealed a mild benign arrhythmia.

The diagnosis forced an abrupt pause to a season that had barely started. Napoli moved quickly. The club confirmed McTominay will rest for two weeks before rejoining full training, keeping alive their original hope that the former Manchester United midfielder will be available again after the international break in early October.

McTominay tried to calm nerves as soon as the problem became public. “See you soon Napoli. I won’t take long,” he wrote on Instagram, a message that landed as reassurance for both club and country.

His recovery will be watched closely in Scotland. New head coach Sebastien Pocognoli is preparing for his first four games in charge – home and away against Slovenia, plus Nations League meetings with North Macedonia and Switzerland – scheduled for late September and early October. McTominay’s fitness could shape those opening weeks of a new era.

An arrhythmia is when the heart beats too fast, too slow or with an irregular rhythm, according to the NHS. For McTominay, the immediate danger has been addressed. The next question is how quickly he can turn a successful operation into a full-blooded return to midfield battle for club and country.