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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Mark Hendry

Oli McBurnie reacts to Scotland World Cup snub after Hull heroics

Hull City's Oliver McBurnie celebrates with the trophy after winning promotion to the Premier League following the Sky Bet Championship play-off final against Middlesbrough at Wembley Stadium, London. Picture date: Saturday May 23, 2026. PA Photo. Photo (Image: Adam Davy)

Oli McBurnie admits there's "no hard feelings" between himself and Steve Clarke after he was left out of Scotland's World Cup squad.

The Hull City striker has found the net 19 times this season for the club but was not selected by Clarke to represent his country in the summer tournament.

Clarke opted to instead take George Hirst, Lawrence Shankland, Ross Stewart, Che Adams and Lyndon Dykes but McBurnie insists he will still be watching along at home and supporting from afar.

"My goal for a couple of years has been to get back into that Scotland squad," McBurnie said after scoring the play-off final winner for the Tigers against Middlesbrough on Saturday. "I feel like I've played as well as I have done for a long while this season and put my best foot forward and gave as good an audition as I could.

"The manager has decided to go a different way and I completely respect that.

"I'm Scottish, I'll be supporting the boys from afar with a beer in hand watching them on TV and I hope they go as far as possible. No hard feelings, I completely understand."

McBurnie's most recent cap came against Faroe Islands in 2021 when he came off the bench to play 17 minutes in the 4-0 victory.

Clarke recently suggested how he picked his squad with loyalty to the players who have performed for him over the years.

McBurnie is yet to find the net for his country.

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