Scots in Serie A: the story of a growing contingent
Only 13 Scottish players have ever played in Serie A. Yet today, as many as seven are turning out in our league. It’s a figure that captures a historic moment: Scotland’s growing influence in Italy has gone hand in hand with the rise of the Scottish national team, culminating in qualification for this summer’s World Cup – the country’s first appearance in 28 years. An achievement made possible in part by the standard-bearers plying their trade in Serie A.
The tradition of players from the United Kingdom appearing in Italy’s top division is long-standing but modest in numbers: 50 Englishmen, 13 Scots, four Welshmen, and none from Northern Ireland. Historically, Scotland ranks second among UK nations for Serie A appearances, and that remains true this season, with seven players to England’s eleven.
The new generation of Scots making their mark in Serie A: from titles to individual awards
From Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour, to Lewis Ferguson, Che Adams, and the younger talents Lennon Miller, Josh Doig and Kieron Bowie, the Scots now form a sizeable, increasingly high-profile presence in Serie A.
Never before have there been so many Scottish players in Serie A, or so much attention focused on them just months ahead of the World Cup.
The undisputed figurehead is Scott McTominay. The former Manchester United man quickly established himself as one of Napoli’s leaders and was named MVP of the Serie A Enilive 2024/25 following a devastating season: twelve goals and six assists in the Partenopei’s title-winning campaign.
After starring in Scotland’s return to the World Cup and being nominated for the Ballon d’Or, McTominay has continued to perform at a high level for Napoli: ten goals and four assists in 34 appearances across all competitions this season underline his importance. On the international stage, he already has 14 goals in 67 appearances, placing him in Scotland’s all-time top ten scorers. With technical, physical and charismatic leadership, McTominay – affectionately nicknamed “McFratm” in the city – embodies the new Scotland that speaks Italian.
Lewis Ferguson, a leader in the Bologna ranks, has made his mark to the point of captaining the side in De Silvestri’s absence. Now in his fourth season in Emilia-Romagna, he was a key figure in Thiago Motta’s system and then adapted seamlessly to Italiano’s revolution, maintaining a central role in the project despite a serious injury.
A cruciate ligament injury in April 2024 affected Ferguson’s effectiveness in front of goal: from 13 goals in his first two years, he’s since managed just two in the following two seasons. The difficulties, however, did not dent his leadership or guiding spirit. As captain, he led Bologna to victory in the Coppa Italia and European qualification, carving out a special place in the club’s history.
At 29, Che Adams is a key attacking figure for Steve Clarke’s Scotland, with 45 caps and eleven goals over the past five years. After five prolific seasons at Southampton, he opted to join Torino, where he’s impressed with his presence in the box and sharp goalscoring instinct. He bagged ten goals in his first season with the Granata, and he’s followed this up with six so far this campaign in all competitions.
A product of Rangers and Chelsea’s youth systems, with spells at Norwich and Brighton, Billy Gilmour has been limited by injuries but remains a valuable member of the Napoli squad. On and off the pitch, he forms a Scottish axis with McTominay that has become a real fan favourite.
The youngsters: Miller, Doig and Bowie
Among the most promising prospects is 19-year-old Lennon Miller, who came through the ranks at Motherwell. Signed by Udinese as something of a mystery, he scored against Palermo in the Coppa Italia in the summer before spending much of the season on the fringes. In 2026, however, Kosta Runjaic has given him a starting role. A modern midfielder with plenty of room to grow, he’s already made four appearances for Scotland.
Josh Doig, 23, is an attacking full-back currently at Sassuolo after a spell at Verona. He’s already played 65 Serie A games, establishing himself as a reliable and consistent performer for teams in the bottom half of the table.
Kieron Bowie, 23, joined Verona in the January transfer window after scoring eight goals for Hibernian in the first part of the season in Scotland. He’s already made two appearances for Hellas, winning the penalty converted by Harroui in their most recent match against Parma. He also has two senior caps for Scotland.
Henderson’s appearance record under threat
The longest-serving Scot in Italian football remains Liam Henderson. Born in 1996 and a former Celtic player, he has worn the shirts of six Italian clubs across Serie A and Serie B, racking up 104 top-flight appearances, almost all with Empoli. He currently plays for Sampdoria in Serie B. His Serie A record, however, is under threat from Lewis Ferguson, who already has 97 appearances with 13 games remaining in the current season. Therefore, it seems only a matter of time before he surpasses Henderson.
The Scottish pioneers in Italy: from Ballon d’Or winners to European Cups
There haven’t been many Scots in Serie A, but they have often been iconic figures.
The eccentric Graeme Souness, a legend of the Reds and three-time European Cup winner with Bob Paisley’s Liverpool in the late ’70s and early ’80s, spent two years in Italy with Sampdoria in the mid-1980s. Known as “Charlie Champagne” for his love of the good life, he scored eight goals in 56 league appearances and, in 1985, helped the Blucerchiati to the Coppa Italia – the first major trophy in the club’s history – scoring in the final.
Considered one of Scotland’s greatest ever, Denis Law is the national team’s all-time top scorer and a Manchester United legend, helping the club to their first European Cup and, before that, winning the Ballon d’Or in 1964. He spent the 1961/62 season at Torino after leaving Manchester City, scoring ten goals in Granata colours.
Also iconic was Joe Jordan, nicknamed “The Shark”, a striker renowned for his aerial dominance who arrived at AC Milan in the early ’80s. His first season in the Rossoneri jersey was difficult, with just two goals and the pain of relegation, but he stayed on in Serie B the following campaign, scoring ten goals as the Diavolo bounced back at the first attempt. He finished his Serie A career with one final season at Verona. His fiery confrontation with Gattuso at the end of a clash between AC Milan and Tottenham in the Champions League, when Jordan was Harry Redknapp’s assistant, is also unforgettable.
In recent years, Aaron Hickey, a right-back who made 47 appearances and scored five goals for Bologna between 2020 and 2022, and Jack Hendry, who featured four times for Cremonese in 2023, have also left their mark.
Heading to the World Cup: Scotland speaks increasingly Italian
Scotland is currently enjoying a golden era in Italian football. Seven players in Serie A occupying key roles, providing leadership, scoring crucial goals, and winning trophies. Never before has the Scottish contingent been so numerous and influential, ready to finish the season strongly and take the stage in the United States this summer in what is already a historic World Cup for them.