Scotland strikers go goal-crazy in finale as 17-strike hitman strengthens case and ex-Celtic ace shows worth

Capped 16 times by Scotland, McBurnie has not been in Steve Clarke’s national team squad since 2021. However, he is making a strong case for World Cup inclusion with his Hull form, netting his 16th and 17th league goals of the season in a 2-1 win over Norwich City.

The Canaries had taken the lead on Humberside, only for McBurnie to net a penalty to make it 1-1 at the interval. The former Sheffield United and Las Palmas striker then bagged the winner midway through the second half to secure a play-off semi-final date against Millwall next weekend.

They made it into the play-offs by two points after Wrexham could only draw 2-2 with Middlesbrough. Scotland forward Tommy Conway opened the scoring for Boro at the Racecourse Ground.

McBurnie and Conway weren’t the only two strikers on target on the final day of the regular Championship season. Ross Stewart netted for Southampton in their 3-1 win over Preston and they will now take on Boro in the play-offs.

George Hirst opened the scoring for Ipswich Town as they won 3-0 at home to QPR to seal second spot. The Tractor Boys knew that a victory would clinch a return to the Premier League at the first time of asking - and they delivered.

Fellow Scotland striker Lyndon Dykes started for Charlton Athletic, but they lost 3-1 at Swansea City, with former Celtic man Adam Idah coming off the bench and scoring twice.

Scotland manager Clarke will name a provisional 55-man squad later this month that will then be whittled down to 26 names for the tournament in Americas.

Playing on the global stage for the first time since 1998, Scotland are in Group C and will play Haiti and Morocco in Boston before heading to Miami to conclude the pool phase against Brazil.