Scott McTominay dazzles for Napoli with iconic celebration as Scotland star shares stage with old Man Utd foe

However, the former Manchester United midfielder has competition for the title of Napoli darling this season in the shape of former Manchester City playmaker and ex-rival Kevin de Bruyne, who also got in on the act on his debut for the club.

Napoli won the Scudetto last season for only the fourth time in their history, with McTominay named Serie A player of the year and winning the hearts of the Napoli faithful as he drove the team towards glory.

Manager Antonio Conte made it clear he wanted to improve his squad for their title defence and also a tilt at the Champions League, with De Bruyne - a multiple trophy winner during ten seasons at Man City - quickly identified as a marquee signing on a free transfer.

Both McTominay and De Bruyne were named in Conte’s starting XI for the Serie A opener against newly-promoted Sassuolo, who had former Hibs and current Scotland internationalist Josh Doig in their team. Another Scot in Billy Gilmour came on an 82nd-minute substitute for Napoli.

By that point, the match was sewn up for the visitors to the Mapei Stadium. Even without star striker Romelu Lukaku, who has been ruled out for three months with a thigh tear, Napoli were largely in control against last year’s Serie B winners.

McTominay scores one and could have another

McTominay opened the scoring on 17 minutes with a clever near-post header from a Matteo Politano free-kick in front of the travelling Napoli fans and he celebrated by standing on the advertising hoardings to take their acclaim.

McTominay hit the bar during a one-sided first half, but Napoli were unable to add to their advantage until the 57th minute when De Bruyne curled in a free-kick from wide left that evaded everyone in the penalty box and nestled past Sassuolo keeper Stefano Turati.

Any lingering hopes of a Sassuolo comeback were completely extinguished when their midfielder Ismael Kone was sent off towards the end for a second bookable offence.

Napoli can now turn their attentions to Friday’s Champions League draw before they take on Cagliari in Serie A at home next Saturday at 7.45pm.