McBurnie’s still on right track to lead line for Scotland

OLI McBURNIE needed something to pick him up after a drink driving charge which saw him banned from the wheel for 16 months and fined almost £30,000.

It arrived at Bramall Lane a few days after his Leeds Magistrates’ Court appearance as he scored one and set-up another in Sheffield United’s 3-0 victory over Chelsea.

The win continued a remarkable top-flight return for McBurnie and the Blades and kept Chris Wilder’s men on course for Europa League qualification ahead of Thursday’s visit of Leicester City.

It wasn’t a bad weekend for McBurnie in terms of his country either with his chances of leading the line for Scotland increasing all the time.

Steve Clarke would have been impressed, not by the antics off the park that landed him in court but by what he witnessed from McBurnie against Frank Lampard’s Blues before he was taken off just after the hour mark.

The 24-year-old isn’t everyone’s cup of tea with his seemingly languid style and plenty scoffed at the mammoth £20million transfer fee Sheffield United paid Swansea for his services.

That made him Scotland’s most expensive player before Kieran Tierney’s switch to Arsenal but many weren’t convinced by the man who has yet to score in nine full caps.

And if winning over his Tartan Army doubters was already tough then he made his job more difficult after his alleged derogatory comments about the national team.

McBurnie appeared to be caught on camera saying he hoped not to be called up for his country because it was s***e but he’s adamant it was made in jest to Blades pal John Fleck.

Regardless of off-field issues and the thoughts of Scotland fans on his value to the team, it’s hard to argue with McBurnie’s contribution this season.

And one of the biggest factors in his favour for the international games to come is his competition for the striking role.

As he was heading past Chelsea keeper Kepa for United’s second goal, news was emerging of Leigh Griffiths being left behind by Neil Lennon for Celtic’s pre-season trip to France.

Griffiths could find himself slipping down the Parkhead pecking order and it’d be a blow to his Scotland chances.

A lack of game time is also something Steven Naismith is staring at. Unless an SFA arbitration panel rules in his club’s favour, the Hearts skipper will have a truncated Championship kicking off in mid-October.

By the time Scotland’s second tier kicks off the national team will already have played four competitive games.

If McBurnie keeps shining in the Premier League, and possibly Europe, it gives him the edge and a chance to silence his critics.

McBurnie made his job more difficult after his alleged comments

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