Hull’s Wembley hero McBurnie – a striker Scotland can do without?Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Oli McBurnie has made 16 senior appearances for ScotlandByGlenn SpellerBBC Sport England at Wembley StadiumPublished46 minutes agoThere was already scrutiny over Steve Clarke’s decision to omit Oli McBurnie from Scotland’s World Cup squad.After Saturday at Wembley, there might be much, much more.McBurnie was Hull City’s match-winning, promotion-winning hero – their new Dean Windass, in less spectacular but arguably far more dramatic fashion.
The 29-year-old Scot pounced on a mistake by Middlesbrough goalkeeper Sol Brynn in the fifth minute of stoppage time to score the only goal of the Championship play-off final.
It sent the Tigers back to English football’s top flight after a 10-year absence.
His Wembley winner came just four days after the 19-goal forward was omitted from Clarke’s squad for this summer’s global extravaganza in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
So while he may not be going to the World Cup with Scotland, McBurnie is going to the Premier League with Hull.
“I am quite pleased he is not going to the World Cup because now he can rest, ” Tigers boss Sergej Jakirovic told BBC Sport.
“He had a conversation with the head coach (Clarke) and it was explained to him what the situation was.
“He scores goals – but this [selection] is the job of an international coach and I respect that.”
After naming his squad, Clarke intimated the player maybe did not fit into the type of character he wanted in his squad.
“You got the sense McBurnie could have scored a hat-trick in every game in the last two months of the season and Clarke would have been unmoved,” wrote BBC chief sports reporter Tom English.
“Maybe he doesn’t fancy him as a footballer, maybe he doesn’t fancy him as a human being. Whatever.”
Jakirovic, however, believes McBurnie is a positive influence in the Hull dressing room.
“He is a leader – he is different and has so much experience in the Championship and creates fear in opponents,” the Croatian reported of his former Swansea and Sheffield United forward.
