Overview
- Scotland manager Steve Clarke again left Oli McBurnie out of the senior squad for this month’s friendlies against Japan and Ivory Coast, keeping the Hull City striker on the reserve list.
- Hull head coach Sergej Jakirovic said he was very surprised by the decision and pointed to McBurnie’s numbers, noting his 14 goals this season outpace other selected forwards.
- Team‑mate Kyle Joseph called McBurnie the best striker in the Championship and said he believes the 29‑year‑old should go to the World Cup with Scotland.
- McBurnie has 14 goals in 32 games and 20 goal contributions for Hull, while his partnership with Joseph has produced 33 combined goals and assists in their promotion push.
- Hull have eight players on international duty, and the club stresses safe returns as McBurnie’s time off from national action is seen as fuel for the season run‑in.