When the Serie A fixtures dropped in June, the Scotland camp was buzzing. The headline? Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour, fresh from winning the league with Napoli, would open the new season against compatriot Josh Doig’s Sassuolo.
For Doig, who made his international debut that same week, it was more than just another fixture—it was a dream clash with childhood rival Gilmour and Ballon d’Or nominee McTominay.
Josh Doig, the 23-year-old left back, has carved out a steady career in Italy.
- He helped Sassuolo secure promotion back to Serie A under World Cup winner Fabio Grosso.
- This will be his fourth season in Italy, after spells at Verona and Sassuolo.
- Doig describes Italian football as “tough, demanding, and rooted in hard work—something that matches the Scottish DNA.”
Beyond football, Doig admits he has fallen in love with Italy’s lifestyle, food, and culture:
“Italy is one of the most beautiful countries in the world… The way of life is unbelievable. But football-wise, it is a very difficult league, and you really need to work hard.”
Perhaps the biggest Scottish success story in Italy is Scott McTominay.
- Crowned Serie A Player of the Season.
- Now a Ballon d’Or nominee, cementing his status as a global star.
- Beloved in Naples, where he is treated as a footballing “god.”
Doig reflected on McTominay’s rise:
“Scott did unbelievable last season, he deserves it because he is one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet in football.”
Alongside McTominay at Napoli is Billy Gilmour, another Scottish talent making waves in Serie A.
Doig, who grew up playing youth football against him, admitted he is excited at the prospect of facing Gilmour in Italy’s top division:
“Any Scottish guy in Italy I will always take an interest in, because we are all in it together.”
What was once rare is now becoming common: Scots excelling in Serie A.
- Che Adams – Torino
- Lewis Ferguson – Bologna
- Lennon Miller (18) – Udinese (from Motherwell)
- Liam Henderson – Sampdoria (six Italian clubs since 2018)
This new wave follows trailblazers like Aaron Hickey, who ended a 35-year drought by becoming the first Scot since Graeme Souness to score in Serie A.