Scott McTominay SPOTY nomination: Was Scottish footballer unlucky to miss out

Journalist Henry Winter posted on social media his surprise at the Scotland midfielder not being nominated for Sports Personality.

“Scott McTominay a surprise omission from SPOTY short-list?” he wrote. “Won Scudetto, voted Serie A Player of the Year, nominated for Ballon d’Or, helped Scotland qualify for World Cup, scored vital/spectacular goal against Denmark that’s surely a Puskas Awards contender. Amazing year.”

Scottish Daily Express editor Ben Borland added: “Can any of [the nominees] really say they’ve had a better year than McTominay? The inclusion of two members of the Lionesses team, heroic and ‘inspiring’ as they may be, will be a particular bone of contention for Scottish football fans – and indeed football fans worldwide.”

The shortlist is based on sporting merit and is selected by a panel chosen for its breadth of expertise and representation across the sporting landscape.

A BBC spokesperson said: “A wide range of contenders were reviewed and debated by an expert industry panel, who reached a consensus on the final shortlist.”