'I'm a different player': Scotland man addresses 1,917 day international exile and makes World Cup confession
The Scottish frontman has been tipped for a potential recall to Steve Clarke’s squad after some bright displays in the Bundesliga.
Oli Burke says his Bundesliga experience has transformed him as a player as he addressed his hopes of a Scotland recall ahead of this summer’s World Cup.
The 28-year-old hasn’t featured for the national team since a 1-0 Nations League defeat against Israel way back in November 2020, but has been mentioned as a possible striking option in Steve Clarke’s squad for the World Cup in June after some strong performances for Union Berlin in the German top flight.
A £13million signing for Red Bull Leipzig from Nottingham Forest back in 2016 whilst still a teenager, the powerful forward made another big-money transfer a year later with West Brom paying £15m to take him back to England. A nomadic period followed featuring various loan spells, including with Celtic in the second half of the 2019/20 campaign.
However, since returning to the Bundesliga with Werder Bremen four years ago, Burke has found a home in Germany. Moving to the capital with Union Berlin, he has found the net four times from 13 starts this season, while he picked up an assist in his side's 3-2 defeat to Hamburg at the weekend.
"I almost feel like a different player,” admitted Burke. “But obviously that comes with maturing, knowing your job better and being more effective in your role, defensively as well. I was young [when he moved to Leipzig], the price tag. I didn't really understand it so much at that age.
“As I got older, it started to weigh a little bit. In football, everything happens quickly. You have your good moments and then there can be bad moments. It's been kind of like this throughout my career. Many ups and many downs. It's just about adapting really.
“When you move abroad, it's also important to try and embed yourself into the culture quickly and become close with your team-mates as fast as you can. Create that bond, and not just on the pitch but off it as well, so that you feel more comfortable and you feel more at home."
Scorer of the winning goal in Clarke’s first game as head coach against Cyprus back in the summer of 2019, the Kirkcaldy-born forward has been capped a total of 13 times by the national team, but missed out on the Scotland squad for the European Championships in 2020 despite featuring in the qualifying stages.
Having not pulled on the navy jersey for a total of 1,917 days, the Union Berlin striker addressed his international exile ahead of this summer’s World Cup after sections of the Tartan Army support called for him to be given an international recall ahead of next month’s pre-tournament friendlies with Japan and the Ivory Coast.
“I'm just focused on my football here and what happens, happens really," explained Burke. "I've not really thought too much on it. Obviously, I know there's a World Cup coming up, but I've not really been a part of it recently. I'm not really expecting anything. I'm just enjoying myself and enjoying football again, which is the most important thing for me. Whether I’m there or not, I want the best for Scotland and the national team. My main focus is to do the best I can here at Union, then we see what happens. It’s not my choice of who goes, so that’s it really.
"If I can, hopefully, do some good performances, score some more goals and hopefully that is catching the eye a little bit and gives me a chance, at least. Obviously, it's an absolute honour to wear the badge and represent your country. It's such a privilege. Obviously, I would really love that again and to have that experience again. I cannot think too much on that. I have to just stay focused and do the best I can here and see what happens."
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