'I think maybe...': Red-hot Scotland international eager to end 1727-day exile as he reveals Steve Clarke contact
Two forgotten Scotland internationals are targeting a return to Steve Clarke’s squad.
Forgotten Scotland international Oli McBurnie has issued a timely reminder of his talents to Steve Clarke after reaching double figures for the season this weekend —and admits he’s desperate to bring his blistering form to the World Cup stage next summer.
The 16-cap striker has not played for the national team since a 4-0 win over the Faroe Islands way back in March 2021, but is knocking on the door for a potential Scotland recall ahead of next summer’s tournament after his stunning start at Hull City saw him score 10 goals in his first 13 games for the club.
The 29-year-old striker was in demand after leaving Spanish outfit Las Palmas in the summer, with Rangers and Sheffield United both credited with an interest in his services. However, McBurnie opted to make the switch to the Tigers in the EFL Championship, agreeing to a three-year contract.
In stunning form ever since making the move to the MKM Stadium, his penalty in first-half injury time helped Sergej Jakirovic’s side defeat West Bromwich Albion 1-0 at the weekend and move into fourth position in the English second tier. Following the win, McBurnie admitted he hoped that his form could earn him an international recall, revealing there had been some contact in recent months.
“I have said many times before that to play for your country is the pinnacle of football for me.” said McBurnie. I have obviously not been able to do that for a few years for one reason or another. I think there had been contact and they kind of asked to see the fitness reports and stuff and where I was at and I think maybe I had been on the reserve list.
“But that is my ultimate goal, to get back into the Scotland squad. It is one of the things we talked about when I came here about having the right platform to go on and get back into that Scotland squad. It would be unbelievable to go to the World Cup. We qualified for the Euros and I scored one of the penalties against Serbia.
“Then unfortunately I broke my foot against Arsenal a couple of weeks later. So I missed the Euros with the boys. It would be one of the proudest achievements of my career to play at the World Cup and that is the ultimate goal at the end of the season.”
Elsewhere, former Celtic forward Lewis Morgan has admitted his desire to earn a Scotland recall was a key factor in his decision to make the 2500-mile move to San Diego FC from New York Red Bulls, after the 29-year-old agreed a one-year contract with the newly formed club last week.
“There's so much stuff I need to sort like the house and my girlfriend Cary’s stuff and my dog,” Morgan told MailSport. “It’s not like I’m driving an hour from one side of Scotland to the other - I'm five hours on a flight. I’ve only got a few weeks. Our pre-season starts early because we're in the CONCACAF Champions Cup that starts in the first week of February. So it's 100 miles an hour at the moment. But it’s a fresh start and I can’t wait.
“It’s a huge year for me with the World Cup over here next summer. That means everything to me. People ask if I've got one eye on it - but I've got both eyes on it. That means doing everything I can for San Diego, that's the only way to put myself back in the Scotland manager's thoughts, and I reckon this move can bring the best out in me.”
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