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BBC Alba Secures Rights to Broadcast Scottish Serie A Stars' Matches

BBC Sport •
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Scottish Serie A stars including Scott McTominay, Billy Gilmour, and Lewis Ferguson will be broadcast live on BBC Alba this season. The BBC has secured a multi-game rights package to air matches featuring Italy-based Scotland internationals ahead of the World Cup. Eight live games will showcase players like Che Adams (Torino), Lennon Miller (Udinese), and Kieron Bowie (Hellas Verona), with fixtures beginning Sunday.

McTominay, Napoli's Ballon d'Or-nominated midfielder, and Gilmour, sidelined since November, will feature prominently. Ferguson, Bologna's captain, leads a team currently 10th in Serie A. The coverage highlights Scotland's growing presence in Italy's top flight, with 13 players now competing there—a record high. Bowie, a 23-year-old Verona debutant, and Doig, Sassuolo's left-back, add depth to the Scottish contingent.

The BBC Alba director, Margaret Cameron, called it a "golden era" for Scottish talent in Italy, emphasizing free-to-air access for fans. Presenter Alex O'Henley noted the timing aligns with World Cup preparations, calling it "hugely exciting." The package includes DAZN-sourced matches, with details to follow. Liam Henderson's absence from the lineup due to a Serie B move underscores the competition among Scotland's Italian-based players.

This expansion follows Scotland's Nations League campaign opener against Switzerland. With 17 Scotland caps between McTominay and Gilmour, their performances could shape the team's World Cup readiness. The coverage underscores Serie A's role as a development hub for Scottish football, with youngsters like Miller (19) and Bowie (23) gaining international experience.