The City boss is making the most of his two pieces of good fortune with McBurnie
Oliver McBurnie of Hull City celebrates(Image: Jed Leicester/Shutterstock)
Sergej Jakirovic admits he is selfishly happy Oli McBurnie won’t be going to the World Cup because he wants his Wembley match winner to have a long summer’s rest before leading Hull City’s assault of the Premier League.
The 29-year-old has played a massive part in City’s elevation to the Premier League, capping a brilliant first season at the club with his 19th goal of the campaign to help his side to a 1-0 victory over Middlesbrough. It was as much as the striker deserved for another tireless effort, often feeding off less than scraps in the first half in particular on a scorching hot day in the capital.
McBurnie then popped up to do what he does best and settle a nervy affair, sending over 30,000 City supporters inside Wembley into euphoria with his stoppage time winner. It again underlined his dependability, but that, and his tremendous goal return this season, have not been enough to win him selection into Scotland’s World Cup squad.
While disappointed for the player, who he feels is worthy of a call up, the City boss is taking the positives.
“I am happy he is not at the World Cup because he needs a really good rest,” said Jakirovic. “He scored more goals than the rest of all the strikers in Scotland, but I’m glad he gets a rest.”
McBurnie was obviously the talk of Wembley after the game, with the City boss extolling the virtues of his striker, while again explaining how it was a stroke of luck he ended up at the MKM Stadium.
“We signed signed him two days before the first game but I first spoke with him in June, I think, so three months before he signed,” added Jakirovic.
“I think we got lucky. If Chris Wilder had been Sheffield United manager at the start of the season, he wouldn’t have come here as that is his football father. I am very happy he did.
“He has the experience in the Championship but I saw in the play-offs, he handled pressure easily. He’s ready for these type of games. He doesn’t need to be captain to lead, and the group really likes him.”
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