Exiled striker McCormack under Forest fire at new club

VILLA loanee Ross McCormack has been told to ‘buck his ideas up’ by Nottingham Forest legend Kenny Burns.

McCormack joined Forest on loan on transfer deadline day in January following a very public falling-out with manager Steve Bruce after the Scot failed to turn up to training.

Bruce demanded the former Leeds and Fulham hitman apologise and when one wasn’t forthcoming, Villa shipped him out.

Despite scoring on his debut for Forest during a 5-1 defeat to Norwich at Carrow Road, McCormack hasn’t been able to find the net since.

And former Forest favourite Burns has launched a scathing attack on the striker.

He said: “I looked at Ross McCormack, in particular, and I think he needs to buck his ideas up. Getting rid of Nicklas Bendtner was the best bit of business Forest have done this season. He never looked up for it, but so far I’ve not felt McCormack looks up for it either.

“He’s only here on loan until the summer and you sometimes see players come in and not approach their best form in those circumstances. “That’s what I’ve seen so far.” VILLA midfielder Conor Hourihane has been named in the Republic of Ireland’s 39-man provisional squad for the March games against Wales and Iceland in Dublin. Hourihane is yet to be capped by his country and will be hoping his move to Villa will lead to him being a more permanent fixture in Martin O’Neill’s national squads.

Ireland face Wales on Friday, March 24, and the ‘Three’ International Friendly against Iceland on Tuesday, March 28.

The squad will report into camp on Sunday – the day after Villa play at Wigan in the Championship.