Scotland World Cup hopeful in 'headbutt a wall' revelation as he targets promotion with ex-Rangers man

The in-form hitman is desperate to earn a recall to the Scotland squad ahead of this summer’s World Cup, and did himself no harm by scoring a brace in the 2-1 win over Norwich City, who are managed by former Rangers boss Philippe Clement, which secured Hull’s place in the EFL Championship playoffs.

Bagging a pressure penalty in the 28th minute, just two minutes after Mo Toure had put Norwich ahead, he sealed the victory on 67 minutes with his second goal, setting up a clash with Alex Neil’s Millwall side in the EFL Championship playoffs as they leapfrogged Wrexham into sixth place on the final day of the regular season.

Now on 18 goals in all competitions for the Tigers this season, McBurnie has been a key player for Sergej Jakirovic’s side this season, alongside former Rangers man John Lundstram. And he appears to be in a determined mood as he targets a reprieve by Scotland head coach Steve Clarke after a five-year spell in the international wilderness.

“It was all or nothing, and we wanted to make sure all the hard work we put into this season counted for something,” said McBurnie. “It was more of a feeling of relief more than anything. I thought the boys were excellent to show the character that we did today after the run we have been on, and going into today, no one fancied us. But we knew what we had in that dressing room and we knew we had the characters in that dressing room.

“The skip (Lewie Coyle) and Eges (John Egan) called a meeting on Friday with just the boys off their own back,” he told The Yorkshire Post. “The leadership showed there and the words that got spoke is something that really resonates with you. You guys don't see that, but the leadership they showed in the meeting we had... I wanted to headbutt a wall when I walked out of that meeting. I was raging I had to wait 24 hours to play the game after that meeting. You're surrounded by people you really want to be in the trenches with.”

Last month, McBurnie revealed he had held discussions with the Scotland boss over his international future, but was informed he is currently behind Lyndon Dykes and Che Adams in the manager’s pecking order, despite scoring more league goals than the striking pair (who both have five) combined. "I'd do anything to get back into that Scotland squad,” said McBurnie. “I feel like I'm playing as well as I have done in however long and all I can do is keep performing for Hull and see where it gets me."

However, with a 55-man preliminary squad for the World Cup set to be named later this month, the 29-year-old striker could be given a one final chance to prove he is worth a spot on the plane when the national team welcome Curacao to Hampden Park for their tournament send-off on May 30.

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