He was the centre of a social media storm recently, but now there’s a ‘line drawn’ under it, Sheffield United striker Oli McBurnie has to kick on for Scotland.
Footage emerged of the striker seemingly talking down his nation (Daily Record). Scotland coach Steven Reid has confirmed that the forward has addressed the video in front of his Scotland peers, insisting there’s a ‘line drawn’ under the incident(BBC).
Whilst that’s all well and good, the Blades forward now has to deliver against Belgium and Russia.
Sheffield United forward McBurnie has the chance to become a Scotland hero
What the forward has managed to do with this act, whether he was right or wrong, is put pressure on himself. Having scored zero in seven Scotland caps, the pressure was already on him to perform this week.
Now that he has seemingly been caught talking down his nation, fans are already not too happy with him. Flat performances against Russia and Belgium will only infuriate supporters further.
At domestic level at least, McBurnie is Scotland’s best striker. It makes his failure to adjust to the international scene puzzling, as in his previous appearances, he has looked out of his depth.
The reported £20 million Sheffield United shelled out for him (the Guardian) shows there’s a good player in McBurnie. 24 goals in 44 games for Swansea City last term shows that too.
Scotland are crying out for a lethal striker. If McBurnie can find some form in a Scots jersey, then he will become a Tartan Army hero over the next few years.
It’s good that he has put this video controversy behind him. Hopefully fans can put it to one side too and support the Sheffield United hitman when he pulls on the Scotland strip.