The striker remains desperate to return to the international fold and help the Tartan Army secure a first World Cup appearance since 1998
Oli McBurnie is one of the in-form strikers in the entire country, but seemingly, his seven goals and three assists in the opening weeks of the new season are not enough to see him recalled to the Scotland squad.
That, McBurnie says, is something of a surprise – and disappointment – as he looks to end his international exile, which began four years ago when he earned the last of his 16 caps.
McBurnie has been a revelation for Hull City since arriving in the summer, netting six times in the Championship. His form has seen him named in the league’s Team of the Week in the last four outings.
Though he has been put on the reserve list, the 29-year-old forward has not been named in any of Steve Clarke’s actual squads this season and was overlooked again for World Cup qualifiers against Greece and Belarus over the next few days.
Despite that, however, his determination to return to the international setup remains undeterred, and he hopes that his form for City will give him a chance of being involved next month against Greece in Athens and Denmark at home.
“All I can do is keep performing for my club and keep giving the manager something to think about,” the striker told Hull Live. “I was half disappointed that the squad came out and I wasn’t in it, but that’s the manager’s decision.
“I think two goals (against PNE) is a great reaction to show that’s where I want to be, I want to help my country get to the World Cup. It’s been a while, and like I say, all I can do is keep performing for my club and giving him that selection headache.
“No, I’ve not heard anything from the manager. I think they’ve been watching a couple of times. They’ve got in contact with my agent and just said, ‘Would I be open to coming back?’
“Yeah, of course, I’m always willing to play for my country. It’s the proudest moment of my career playing for my country, so, yeah, I’m always available for selection. I’m here whenever they need me, and like I say, all I can keep doing is keep giving them something to think about.”
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