news-engine

Steve Clarke slammed for 'unbelievable' decision as next Scotland boss told not to ignore striker's talents Former Scotland boss criticised for shock World Cup omission. Former Scotland head coach Steve Clarke has been slammed for his decision not to take Oli McBurnie to the World Cup this summer after his outstanding form in front of goal for Hull City. The 30-year-old striker endured an eye-catching campaign for the Tigers last season with 19 goals scored in all competitions, including a 90th-minute winner against Middlesbrough in the EFL Championship playoff final that sealed Hull’s return to the English Premier League for the first time in nine years. Despite McBurnie being one of the top scorers in the English second tier, the 62-year-old former national team boss decided against recalling him, opting to take Lawrence Shankland, Lyndon Dykes, Che Adams and Ross Stewart to the tournament. However, the decision was criticised in some quarters when Scotland exited the tournament at the group stage, having scored just once in three games. With Clarke resigning from his position following Scotland’s early exit from the tournament, his decision not to take McBurnie has been called into question by former Hull defender and EFL Sky Sports pundit, Curtis Davies, who has urged his successor to consider giving an international recall to the 16-cap marksman. “I believe there is a way back into the national team for Oli McBurnie,” said Sky Sports pundit Davies. “Listen, he needs to be scoring goals and performing, first and foremost. But with all due respect, when I looked at the list of strikers for Scotland, I couldn't believe he didn't get in the World Cup squad considering the season he had at Hull City, where people had written him off and he ended up with over 20 goal contributions. “I also think having a character like that around the group would be good. I know he’s had his ups and downs with Steve Clarke in the past, when he missed a friendly because he was sore and wanted a rest, but he's been in squads since then, so I was quite surprised he wasn't picked. He's kept his head down and done his job. Now with a new person at the helm, hopefully he can perform well in the Premier League and get himself back in that squad to put that shirt back on.” Discussing the current state of Scottish football, Davies believes that the national team can continue to benefit from players choosing to play abroad, and thinks that the pathway to a more successful future will be for the country’s top young talents to be open-minded as to where they choose to play their football. “The bigger picture is that Scotland wants to improve its national team,” said Davies via an interview with Betano Online Casino. “The more players they have performing at higher levels, the better. You look at players like Che Adams playing in Torino at the top level, or Ross Stewart, who has just signed for Swansea, that’ll be an excellent move for them. Ultimately, it’s down to those individuals to keep kicking on. “But there are only going to be so many Andy Robertsons, Scott McTominays or John McGinns who have that truly top-level talent. It’s just about building on the foundation set by the Scotland youth teams and using those players as examples of the different routes they took. McTominay came through Manchester United, which is totally different from the path John McGinn and Andy Robertson took. “Robertson had to do the hard yards, but he became one of the best left-backs in the world. McTominay, coming from Manchester United, had to leave his hometown club, which he probably didn't want to do, but he’s gone and won Player of the Season in Serie A. It just shows that you don't always have to stay in England or Scotland, you can succeed elsewhere. By and large, as long as you're a good player, you'll find your way to represent your country.” Comments Want to join the conversation? Please or to comment on this article.