Scott McTominay’s Famous Overhead Kick Immortalised On Limited‑Edition Bank Of Scotland £20 Note

Scott McTominay's legendary status in Scottish football has reached a new level after his iconic overhead kick against Denmark was chosen to feature on a new limited edition £20 banknote. The…

May 26, 2026
8 min read

Scott McTominay’s legendary status in Scottish football has reached a new level after his iconic overhead kick against Denmark was chosen to feature on a new limited edition £20 banknote. The Bank of Scotland revealed the unique design to celebrate the national team’s successful qualification for the World Cup, marking their first appearance at the tournament in 28 years. For the first time since 1998, Scotland’s men’s team has secured a place at the World Cup, and the bank has chosen to mark the occasion by putting McTominay front and centre on a new £20 note.

Key Details At A Glance

The “McTominay Twenty” — as fans have already christened it — is one of the most unique tributes ever given to a footballer in Britain: a moment of sporting brilliance literally printed onto legal currency.

Scott McTominay
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – MARCH 28: Scott McTominay of Scotland in action during an international friendly match between Scotland and Japan on March 28, 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
CategoryDetail
Scott McTominayScotland
Issued ByBank of Scotland
Denomination£20 (approximately $27)
Notes Printed100 total
Available To Public50 (via auction, prize draw and pop‑up vaults)
Charity PartnerCrisis Scotland (homelessness)
Designed ByScottish illustrator Katie Smith, in collaboration with McTominay
Auction StatusLive now; runs until 11am, Friday June 26

The Note: What It Looks Like And Why It Matters

The design blends traditional banknote elements with imagery inspired by one of Scotland’s most memorable modern football moments, set against the Forth Bridge. Per the BBC, the design merges traditional Scottish banknote aesthetics with a modern tribute to the qualifying campaign. At its heart is an image inspired by McTominay’s spectacular opening goal during Scotland’s dramatic 4‑2 victory over Denmark at Hampden Park — the result that sent the Tartan Army to the World Cup for the first time in nearly three decades. 

The special-edition banknote was created in collaboration with McTominay and Scottish illustrator Katie Smith. The note merges the instantly recognisable overhead‑kick silhouette with classic Scottish visual identity, creating a collectible that is as much a piece of football art as it is a piece of currency.

The Goal: Three Minutes That Changed Scottish Football

A 28-year wait to return to football’s grandest stage ended on a historic night in November, as Scotland staged a dramatic 4-2 win over Denmark in a thrilling World Cup qualifier. But before the bedlam broke out among the 50,000-odd spectators, it was their beloved Scott McTominay, who made them dream with his overhead kick in the third minute of the game – a magical goal for the ages. 

Seeming to defy gravity, the 29-year-old midfielder leapt high and connected with a cross fired into the box, burying his spectacular bicycle kick into the bottom corner of the net. The craziest party in Glasgow kicked off at Hampden Park that night, as two stoppage-time goals took the Scots to the promised land, ending a 28-year wait since their last tournament appearance in 1998.

Scotland 4‑2 Denmark — Match Timeline

MinEventSignificance
3′McTominay overhead kick (1‑0)The goal now immortalised on the £20 note
Denmark equaliseBriefly levelled
Scotland retake leadBack in control
Denmark equalise againNerves at Hampden
90+’Scotland goal (3‑2)Pandemonium begins
90+’Scotland goal (4‑2)Qualification sealed

McTominay’s acrobatic finish, widely regarded as one of the finest goals in recent Scottish football history, has since become symbolic of the team’s qualification campaign.

McTominay’s Reaction: “Incredibly Special”

Speaking at the unveiling of the currency, McTominay expressed his pride at being chosen for such a rare distinction. “Reaching the biggest stage of world football is something every player dreams of, and I know it means everything to our fans,” the Napoli midfielder stated. “Moments like that belong to everyone who follows the team, so seeing my goal featured on a Scottish banknote feels incredibly special.” 

Being able to work with Bank of Scotland to turn it into something that also supports Crisis and the work they do to tackle homelessness makes me even more proud.”

How Fans Can Get Their Hands On One

Fans hoping to get their hands on the “McTominay Twenty” will have to act fast, as only 100 of the notes have been printed. Half of that total will be made available to the public through a combination of collector auctions, a prize draw, and interactive pop-up events held in Edinburgh and Glasgow where fans can attempt to crack a vault code to win one.

How To Win A “McTominay Twenty”

MethodDetails
Online AuctionLive now; runs until 11am, Friday June 26
Prize DrawOpen to public; entries close 11am, June 26
Glasgow Vault Pop‑UpGlasgow Queen Street Station — Saturday, May 30 (9am‑5pm)
Edinburgh Vault Pop‑UpSt James Quarter — Wednesday, June 17 (9am‑5pm)
Entry DonationSuggested £10 donation; free entry option available

There is a suggested £10 entry donation with all proceeds going to Crisis Scotland. A free entry option is available. One auction lot also includes an exclusive piece of Scott McTominay memorabilia.

The Charitable Purpose: Ending Homelessness In Scotland

The initiative also carries a significant social purpose. Proceeds from the auction and prize draw will be donated to Crisis Scotland, a charity committed to ending homelessness. Funds raised through the auction and prize draw of this special banknote will help Crisis support people to rebuild their lives, while also campaigning for the changes needed to end all forms of homelessness in Scotland by 2040. Emma Noble, chair of the Scottish executive committee at the Bank of Scotland, noted: “It’s been a privilege to work with him to bring it to life in such a unique way, and we’re grateful for his support in helping raise funds for Crisis as they work to end homelessness across Scotland.”

Emma Noble On Why A Banknote Was The Perfect Tribute

Noble further explained the reasoning behind the note, saying: “Securing qualification in such dramatic fashion is a moment fans will never forget, and we wanted to mark it in a way that’s rooted in Scottish identity.” 

Like football, banknotes have long been part of our country’s story, and this limited edition £20 note combines those two traditions.” She added: “Scott’s overhead kick is already regarded as one of the nation’s greatest ever goals.”

McTominay’s Rise: From Manchester United To Napoli To National Icon

The 29-year-old has continued his rise in European football since joining SSC Napoli in 2024, establishing himself as one of Scotland’s key figures ahead of the World Cup in North America.

Scott McTominay — Career Snapshot

PeriodClubCountryKey Moment
2017‑2024Manchester UnitedEnglandCame through academy; 255 appearances
2024‑presentNapoliItalyImmediate impact in Serie A
2018‑presentScotlandInternational55+ caps; record WCQ goal
Nov 2025Scotland vs DenmarkHampden ParkThe overhead kick that sealed World Cup qualification
May 2026Bank of Scotland noteGoal immortalised on £20 currency

McTominay, who is widely considered to be one of the best players in Europe since moving to Italian club Napoli in 2024, has transformed from a reliable squad player at Old Trafford into a genuinely elite midfielder in Serie A and one of the most important Scottish footballers of his generation.

What Comes Next: The World Cup

McTominay headlines the Scotland team, who begin their 2026 World Cup campaign against Haiti in Group C on 13 June before taking on Morocco and Brazil.

Scotland’s Group C Fixtures

DateOpponentStage
June 13HaitiGroup C, Matchday 1
TBDMoroccoGroup C, Matchday 2
TBDBrazilGroup C, Matchday 3

Scotland last played at the World Cup in 1998. The overhead kick that now sits on a £20 note is the reason they are back. For the Tartan Army, the “McTominay Twenty” is not just a collectible — it is proof, printed on currency, that the 28‑year wait is finally over.

Read More: AC Milan Sack Massimiliano Allegri In Sweeping Overhaul After “Unequivocal Failure”

FAQs

What is the “McTominay Twenty”?

A brand new, limited edition £20 banknote featuring an image inspired by Scott McTominay’s iconic overhead kick, created to celebrate Scotland’s return to the top table of international football.

How many notes have been printed?

Only 100 copies of the special note have been printed, with 50 available to the public through auctions, a prize draw and pop‑up vault events.

What was the goal that inspired the note?

McTominay’s spectacular bicycle kick came in the third minute of Scotland’s decisive World Cup qualifier against Denmark at Hampden Park in November last year.

Where does the money raised go?

The Bank of Scotland said proceeds from the auction will support homelessness charity Crisis and its campaign to end homelessness in Scotland by 2040.

Where can fans try to win one? 

Through an online auction (live until June 26), a public prize draw, and two pop‑up vault events in Glasgow (May 30) and Edinburgh (June 17).

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