Imagine nailing the most acrobatic, jaw-dropping goal of your life and then having it immortalized on currency. That’s exactly what happened to Scott McTominay, the Napoli midfielder whose overhead kick against Denmark in November didn’t just send Scotland to the World Cup—it’s now the centerpiece of a limited-edition £20 banknote.
Only 100 of these commemorative notes exist, and they’re being distributed through charity events over the coming weeks. It’s the kind of honor that typically goes to historical figures or architectural landmarks, not athletic moments from a qualifying match. Yet McTominay’s acrobatic opener at Hampden Park in Glasgow has already become the stuff of Scottish football legend.
The goal came during a 4-2 victory that sealed Scotland’s place at next month’s finals in the United States, Mexico, and Canada—the nation’s first World Cup appearance since 1998. That’s 28 years between tournaments, which makes this moment feel bigger than just one spectacular strike. It’s the culmination of decades of heartbreak, near-misses, and what felt like permanent exile from the game’s biggest stage.
McTominay himself called it surreal. As he told the BBC, he’s focused now on delivering for Scotland on the global stage. That’s the right mindset, especially with Group C drawing Haiti, Morocco, and Brazil. An overhead kick on a banknote is cool. Going deep in the tournament? That would be legendary.
The World Cup kicks off June 11. Scotland has waited 28 years for this. Time to show the world why that goal was just the beginning.
About the Author
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
