City’s star striker continues to deliver in the Championship
Oli McBurnie has been in blistering form for Hull City this season(Image: Alfie Cosgrove/News Images)
Oli McBurnie hasn’t pulled on the Scotland jersey in almost five years, and while there has been plenty of water that’s passed under the bridge since then, the Tartan Army need him.
Goals have been hard to come by for a lengthy period of time for Scotland, and going into the World Cup, that has to be one of the main priorities.
Of all the leading strikes available to boss Steve Clarke, none are in the form of McBurnie. His wonderfully taken goal in Hull City‘s 4-2 win over Derby County on Tuesday night capped a man-of-the-match display, which saw him involved in the opener and tee up John Egan for what was effectively the winner.
His all-round display, in both boxes, showed why he’s proving to be the Championship signing of the season, and it’s not a one-off. McBurnie has been in scintillating form throughout the campaign, leading the line for the Tigers who have firmly entrenched themselves in the Championship promotion race.
Already, the 29-year-old has 14 goals with 13 of those coming in the Championship. He’s also notched up seven assists. In his 24 league outings, the forward has 20 goal involvements.
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Lyndon Dykes, on loan at Charlton Athletic from Birmingham City has two goals this season. Che Adams has four in 24 games, albeit playing for Torino in Serie A, and Lawrence Shankland has 11 goals and three assists in 21 outings for Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts.
Statistically, McBurnie is the in-form Scottish striker, and it would be madness for Clarke to overlook a player at the peak of his powers, and desperate to return to the international setup.
City’s in-form marksman had been on the standby list earlier this season, but was not actually called up, and that simply has to change if Scotland are to carry a significant goal threat in North America.
McBurnie himself is desperate to be involved, and he’ll hope his return to fitness and regular flow of goals will have caught Clarke’s eye ahead of next month’s international break.
Time is running out for McBurnie to get back into the fold, but he can do no more than perform at the level he has done consistently throughout the campaign.
If you’re picking your best squad on form at club level, then there is nobody more deserving of a call-up than McBurnie, and for whatever reason, Clarke has avoided picking him in recent seasons; he must make that call.
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