No Scottish forward has more goal involvements this season that City’s number nine
Oli McBurnie has been in fine form for Hull City this season (Image: Izzy Poles – AMA/Getty Images)
Striker Oli McBurnie has again been overlooked by Scotland head coach Steve Clarke, which will come as a blow to the Hull City star who remains hopeful of making the World Cup squad.
McBurnie remains the highest-scoring Scotland striker this season by some distance with 14 goals and seven assists in his 31 games for City this season, but has been left out for their two friendlies later this month.
The Tartan Army host Japan at Hampden Park on Saturday week, before facing Jean-Michel Seri’s Ivory Coast at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium on Tuesday, March 31, as their preparations for this summer’s World Cup in North America gather pace.
City’s talismanic marksman hasn’t played for his country in almost five years, though he’s desperate to add to his 17 senior caps and help his country this summer.
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Hearts forward Lawrence Shankland hasn’t been picked due to injury, but 19-year-old Kilmarnock winger Findlay Curtis is a surprise call-up.
In addition to the young Rangers winger who is on loan at Rugby Park and has netted once this season, Clarke has picked Che Adams (Torino, four goals), Tommy Conway (Middlesbrough, eight goals), Lyndon Dykes (Charlton Athletic, two goals) and George Hirst (Ipswich Town, nine goals) as his forward group.
McBurnie has spoken openly about his desire to return to the fold this season, and just last week, Tartan Army legend Ally McCoist backed the 29-year-old to see his exile ended.
“Oli McBurnie has got to come into the reckoning. He must keep batting the goals in. He’s been a breath of fresh air, and Steve Clarke will know that. Steve will obviously watch him,” McCoist told talkSPORT Bet Casino last week.
“We are in no position to close the door on anybody. Nobody can Scotland afford to close the door on. And I’m delighted for him. He was over in Spain, and the fans loved him. Players loved him. That’s the kind of guy he is. That’s the kind of player he is.
“I’m genuinely delighted for him. I saw his goal again earlier this week. He took it, smashed it in (against Derby County). And how well are Hull City going, by the way? It’s brilliant.
“So, in answer to your question, plus the fact that it is a position where we don’t have great numbers. We’ve obviously got Lyndon Dykes and Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams who play like that, but we’ve not loaded with world-class centre forwards. So, if he keeps batting the goals in, and they do well, he’d have to come into Steve’s thoughts.”
Meanwhile, Paddy McNair, Amir Hadziahmetovic and Ivor Pandur have all been called up to their respective international squads for their games later this month, and it’s expected there will be further call-ups this week, including Liam Millar with Canada.
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