AC MILAN legend Joe Jordan reckons Scott McTominay is on course to become one of the best British exports to Italy.
And he accused his former club Manchester United of blundering by flogging him to Napoli for a bargain £25million last summer.
RexScott McTominay has moved up a gear from his Man Utd days[/caption]
RexBilly Gilmour now starts in Napoli’s midfield next to McTominay[/caption]
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While the Red Devils have tumbled down the table without McTominay, the Scotland midfielder is on a title charge in Italy, where his inspirational form has lifted Napoli to within three points of leaders Inter Milan.
Tomorrow it is an Auld Enemy clash in Serie A, with McTominay and fellow Scotland star Billy Gilmour taking on AC Milan’s quartet of Englishmen — Kyle Walker, Tammy Abraham, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Fikayo Tomori.
Jordan, now 73, was affectionately dubbed Lo Squalo (The Shark) by Milan fans, after finishing top scorer in both of his seasons at the San Siro and is still worshipped in Italy, for his exploits with AC Milan and Verona.
However Napoli’s fanatical fans have given McTominay the ultimate accolade, dubbing him McTomadona — after their idol Diego Maradona.
Now Jordan claims McTominay is on course to eclipse himself and previous greats such as Denis Law, John Charles, Graeme Souness, Trevor Francis, Ray Wilkins, David Platt and Paul Gascoigne, to become Serie A’s greatest ever Britalian.
He told SunSport: “I would say Scott McTominay has made much more of an impact in Italy than I did in my first season.
“He’s already much more popular than I ever was.
“I got on well with the Milan fans but it took me a bit of time to settle down to the Italian game. Since his introduction the Napoli supporters have taken to Scott right away.
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“He has done exceptionally well, in a team that is consistently winning.
“They love him in Naples and I know what the Napolitani, are like, they’re incredible fans, absolutely fanatical about their club and their heroes. In Naples, they only support one team and that’s Napoli.”
GettyJimmy Greaves left Chelsea for a year at Milan[/caption]
AP:Associated PressAnother England ace, Mark Hateley, also played for Milan[/caption]
McTominay made 178 Prem appearances for the Old Trafford outfit after coming through their youth academy, scoring 19 times and Jordan added: “I was really surprised United let Scott go during the summer.
“I don’t know all the circumstances but I thought he was doing OK at United. But, at Napoli, he’s lifted his game to another level.
“His form is consistent, his front play is good, he’s scoring goals and providing assists.”
McTominay, 28, has started in Napoli’s last 27 Serie A games, and is their second top scorer behind Romelu Lukaku — another United old boy — with seven goals and four assists.
Jordan said: “He’s hit the ground running. He’s a player who is playing with confidence and he is working under a good coach in Antonio Conte.
“Napoli did very well to sign him — but Manchester United did very badly letting him go. United’s loss is Napoli’s gain.
“He has been helped by having Gilmour alongside him. Whenever I’ve seen Billy play for Napoli he’s done well and he has forced himself into the starting team now.
“That’s no surprise to me because he’s a good player, and crucially for an Italian coach, he keeps the ball well.”
Rarely can a battle of the Brits have meant so much to Italian supporters as both clubs desperately need three points to keep their Serie A season on track.
RexMcTominay has started Napoli’s last 27 top-flight matches[/caption]
GettyKyle Walker is in the opposition camp with AC Milan[/caption]
Milan are currently ninth — five places and six points off a Champions League qualifying place — and must win to keep their slim hopes alive.
But they also know by beating Napoli they will virtually hand the Serie A title to their deadly rivals Inter Milan, who could push six points clear of the Neapolitans with eight games remaining.
Meanwhile, Napoli know they must keep up the pressure on Inter by beating their Milanese rivals.
Jordan’s heart is with his old club Milan but his head tells him that Napoli’s home advantage gives their Scots the edge.
He said: “By chance, I actually saw the reverse game at the San Siro in October.
“My daughter lives in Milan with my two grandkids and when I visit I go to watch my old club and occasionally Verona too.
“Unfortunately Napoli were the better team on the day and deserved to win 2-0.
“They will be favourites to win at home to keep the pressure up on Inter as the two clubs fight it out for the Scudetto.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek has impressed for Milan after injuryGetty
Striker Tammy Abraham is on loan at Milan from RomaGetty
“Napoli haven’t won it too often but, with Scott and Billy in the team, they have a great chance provided they can handle the pressure of the run-in.
“The heat is on them to win at home. But when you have got a team as talented as Conte’s and a passionate home support, Napoli should win.”
For once, Jordan will be hoping England come out on top of Scotland — thanks to his Rossoneri roots.
He added: “I know Kyle Walker because I coached him at Tottenham, when Harry Redknapp was the manager and we sold him to Manchester City.
“He may be in his 30s now but he is a fantastic athlete — some players have pace, some have stamina, but Kyle’s blessed with both.
“Kyle’s an experienced operator so, as much as he will learn from the Italians, he’ll be passing on a wealth of knowledge to Milan’s younger players too.
“Tammy Abraham is another of Milan’s Brits who I used to watch in his Bristol City days, because I’ve lived in the city for years now.
“He’s likely to be on the bench alongside Fikayo Tomori who has lost his starting place since he was red carded against Empoli.
“But Ruben Loftus-Cheek did well on his return from injury against Como recently when he came off the bench and helped turn the game around. Forza Milan!”
AP:Associated PressMilan fans dubbed Joe Jordan ‘the Shark’[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
