MX23RW : Monday, November 25 17:30:16| >> :600:268115:268115:

Oli McBurnie plays for Sheff Utd after pulling out of Scotland squad

Oli McBurnie plays for Sheff Utd after pulling out of Scotland squad
© Reuters
The striker came on at half-time as the Blades played Derby in a pre-season game at Pride Park.

Oli McBurnie has turned out for Sheffield United in a friendly two days after pulling out of the Scotland squad.

The striker came on at half-time as the Blades played Derby in a pre-season game at Pride Park.

Scotland coach Steven Reid explained on Monday that McBurnie had dropped out of the squad for the Nations League openers against Israel and Czech Republic because of “an issue with his foot”.

The 24-year-old missed United’s training-ground friendly win over Hearts on Friday, when Chris Wilder named a 22-man squad.

The club’s Twitter account stated when announcing his introduction against Derby: “Oli McBurnie steps up his recovery from injury and replaces (Lys) Mousset at half time.”

Blades boss Wilder later insisted that Scotland counterpart Clarke had given the green light for McBurnie to be involved.

“I spoke to Steve beforehand and he agreed with us that, given where Oli is at, he was better off being with us and doing this,” Wilder told the Sheffield Star.

“He was happy with everything and we kept him fully informed of everything. For me, and for him (Clarke) it makes perfect sense.”

McBurnie reaffirmed his commitment to Scotland a year ago, addressing his international team-mates to reassure them that disparaging comments about playing for his country, which were leaked on social media footage, were said in jest.

As well as McBurnie, Scotland boss Steve Clarke is without the injured Leigh Griffiths and Lawrence Shankland from his strikeforce, while Hearts forward Steven Naismith has not played since March and was not included.

Sporting Kansas City forward Jonny Russell was unable to return to Scotland because of coronavirus travel restrictions.

Cardiff utility man Callum Paterson was called up following the withdrawal of Shankland and McBurnie.

The uncapped Lyndon Dykes is the only recognised centre-forward in the squad although wide man Oli Burke has previously played through the middle.

ID:412550: cacheID:412550:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5569:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd124441313016
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Ipswich TownIpswich121651323-109
19Crystal Palace121561017-78
20Southampton121110924-154


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!