Bluenose Scotland striker Oliver McBurnie has been handed a Scotland reprieve after throwaway comments made at Sheffield United caused a social media storm.
The lanky striker cost Sheffield United £20m from Swansea in the summer and would be a real asset to the national team if he gets firing.
But McBurnie is alleged to have said “hope not” after being asked if he’d been called up the Scotland team in the background of a video later published on Sheffield United TV.
Scotland assistant coach Steven Reid is eager to draw a line under the incident.
“He wanted to speak to everyone and clarify the situation, which was cleared up pretty quickly,” said Reid, as quoted by BBC Sport.
“He’s here, he’s committed, I know he spoke to the manager and the manager’s made it clear that anyone that’s not committed to being involved in squads then they’re not going to be involved.
“Hopefully, draw a line under that one now and move on and look forward to the two games because it is a big opportunity for Oli and a big opportunity for the lads that are going to be involved.”
The alleged statements from McBurnie spawned plenty of reaction from the Tartan Army, understandably so.
McBurnie – who has already found the net in the Premier League with Sheffield United – will be hoping to make a better impression on supporters in the country’s upcoming matches with Russia and Belgium.
