Gordon Strachan has praised Scott McTominay for creating 'god-like' status at Napoli in the space of 12 months.

The Scotland star swapped Manchester United for Italy last summer and enjoyed a dream season in Serie A, scoring 13 goals to help fire Napoli to their fourth Scudetto.

McTominay, 28, was also crowned as the league's player of the year and has won acclaim from several Serie A greats including Gianfranco Zola and Falcao. And Strachan gives the midfielder kudos for making the most of the opportunity.

Speaking to OLBG, he said: "Sometimes it's about finding the right team for you as a player.

"Maybe that's the tip. I think for a long time, I think Scott McTominay was looked upon as the new kind of Stephen Fletcher who could pop in and help and all the rest of it.

"He didn't really have his own identity at Manchester United, I think when he went to Napoli, he found his own identity.

"People might have thought it might have been a bit rough, but what he's done with his life is good for all kids to see. You decide where you go in life.

"In the football world, business world, whatever world you want to work in, you decide how far you can go in it. Along the way, people will kind of doubt you.

"Obviously, the management team, the coaching team thought, right, he's just not for us. So he's gone, right, I'll have to accept that. I don't want to go on about it.

"He said, you have been great, time to move on. And he's decided that this is the best thing for him. And he's used that opportunity and he's been prepared for it. He's ready for it."

“He's turned into probably one of Italy's best players this year, if not the best. I was in Sorrento recently and that man is now a god and he did it himself. No matter what you say about coaches, you've still got to do it yourself. So I think he's done great."

McTominay also can't wait to play alongside Manchester City legend Kevin de Bruyne following his arrival in Naples on a free transfer.

Speaking to BBC Sport at Wimbledon, he said: "He’s an incredible player and obviously someone who will bring so much quality to the group and for us to have him, it’s amazing.

"Bringing in players of that quality in and that nature is very, very important and we want to kick on again. We don’t want to be content with what we’ve had."

McTominay took a leap of faith when he swapped Old Trafford for the Diego Armando Maradona stadium last summer but believes the whole experience of living abroad has really helped him come out of his comfort zone.

He added: "he people in Naples are incredible, they're so passionate and everywhere you go there are people who say 'Forza Napoli' and they want to speak to you and have a conversation and that inspires you every time you go on the pitch because they care.

"It's different, a totally different way of life over there - the way you eat, the way you live and all that. It gives you more mental strength.

"I've always lived very close to my mum, so I could go whenever I wanted.

"Whereas now I live 1,500 miles away so I can't just go home and see my mum, my family, my sister and my kids so it's different, but in life you sometimes have to take yourself out of your comfort zone and I've always prided myself on that.

"I would never want to be in my comfort zone, and if I can go away anywhere and establish myself and do well, why not? Who's to stop me doing that?"

Man United opted to cash in on their homegrown star in a £27.5million deal 12 months ago but Tartan Army hero McTominay wishes his old club nothing but the best.

"I always want the absolute best for Manchester United, it's been my life for 22-23 years," he stated.

"For me, I wish the club all the success in the world and I'll be with them every step of the way. I want them to do well."

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