SONENCHANTED EVENING

SCOTLAND U21S McBURNIE JOURNEY Oli goal v Latvia a golden moment for his dad after 1600-mile trip to game

THERE was only one place Oli McBurnie was going after scoring for Scotland Under-21s in Latvia.

And that was straight to the tiny pocket of away fans in the corner where dad Neil was standing.

McBurnie and his old man might have Yorkshire accents but don’t dare tell them they aren’t patriotic Scots.

And the fact Neil travelled 1600 miles to the Latvian outpost of Liepaja on Tuesday night to see his boy in action is proof of that.

He was there with a few Tartan Army diehards in the howling wind and rain that swept over the Daugava Stadium during Scotland’s 2-0 win.

So when the Swansea striker hit the back of the net for Scot Gemmill’s side he was always going to celebrate with his dad.

Neil goes all over Europe to see Oli in a dark blue shirt as he continues to make his Scottish-based McBurnie family proud.

And despite being harsh on him as a kid, the 21-year-old admits seeing Neil in the crowd at away games gives him a lift every time he plays for his country.

McBurnie’s goal, allied to an Oliver Burke strike, put Gemmill’s boys back on track in their Euro 2019 bid.

And he said: “My dad comes to pretty much all the away games. He has been to some strange destinations with us.

“He’s always there and he’s prouder than even me when I play for Scotland.

“He speaks about me as the golden kid – but if I play badly I’ll hear an earful!

“He’s my harshest critic besides myself. But when I play well he’ll also give me a pat on the back.

“It’s massive having someone there like that. He was the only one from any of the boys’ families who made the trip out to Latvia.

“It just gives me a boost seeing him there in the stands. It’s a proud moment for him and the family.

“We’ve always had a good relationship, myself, my dad and my little brother Zander.

“He used to hammer us on the way home from football games as a kid. Zander and I used to dread the journeys back if we’d played badly.

“But now I’m older he’s a bit easier on me. I play at a good level now so I tell him he’s not my manager and he has to relax a bit.

“He has been brought up to be Scottish and it’s the same with Zander and I. We’re as patriotic as it comes.

“So I’m always proud when I pull on that jersey, especially when I score and we win.”

McBurnie didn’t start Scotland’s first two games against Holland and England but was given the nod up front against the Latvians.

And he didn’t let Gemmill down with a terrific display leading the line. He admits it was tough to be left out but now wants to spearhead the Euro 2019 campaign after the victory in Liepaja.

McBurnie said: “When you come away with Scotland you want to play as much as possible.

“When the manager trusts you and you repay him with a goal and a performance it’s great.

“You have to perform when you get the chance and hopefully I did that in Latvia.

“It’s frustrating when you don’t play. It’s a proud moment when you get the call-up and you just want to do everything you can for the country.

“Even when you’re not playing you can help the boys, whether that be in training or coming and getting an assist like I did against England.

“It’s not about me, it’s a team effort. Against Latvia it was a selfless display from the boys.

“We can now go into the next two games in November full of confidence.”