Burke has warning for call-offs – someone else will take your spot

OLIVER Burke has warned Scotland’s no-shows they may find someone has pinched their slot when they finally rejoin Steve Clarke’s squad.

The Scots suffered a fresh blow this week as they prepare to bring the curtain down on a disastrous Euro 2020 qualifying campaign with two dead rubbers against Cyprus and Kazakhstan after skipper Andy Robertson, Scott McTominay, Ryan Fraser and Liam Cooper were all ruled out through injury.

The call-offs sparked a fresh round of debate over the level of commitment being shown to the national team but Alaves loanee Burke has no doubt his absent colleagues are genuinely unfit.

However, he warned there will be plenty of others looking to snatch the positions left vacant.

H e s a i d : “I t ’s v e r y disappointing if a player pulls out of a squad when he’s not injured and is maybe prioritising his club.

“But I wouldn’t see (this week’s call-offs) as that. I’d see it as there was games before we come and sometimes you do pick up knocks in your last game which stops you joining up.

“It’s unfortunate that players can’t make the squad because of injuries but that’s part of football. The players here have to come together now, work hard and maybe they can cement their spot – it’s not always a good thing if you do have to pull out.”

The next two games offers Burke the opportunity to rack up some much-needed minutes.

The 22-year-old West Brom winger admits the nomadic existence that has seen him clock up six clubs already in his short career is starting to bring him down.

“It’s been really frustrating not actually staying at one club and cementing a spot,” he explained.

“I know what kind of player I am so I just have to keep going and hope good things come.”

Oliver Burke has played nine times for Scotland.