Oli McBurnie plays in Sheffield United friendly TWO DAYS after pulling out of Scotland squad with ‘foot issue’
Oli McBurnie withdrew from the Scotland squad for their upcoming Nations League matches - but turned out in a friendly for club Sheffield United just two days later.
The striker pulled out of the clashes against Israel and Czech Repblic due to an 'issue with his foot', Scotland coach Steven Reid revealed.
The 24-year-old missed United's training-ground friendly win over Hearts on Friday, when Chris Wilder named a 22-man squad.
However, the club's Twitter account stated when announcing his introduction against Derby: "Oli McBurnie steps up his recovery from injury and replaces (Lys) Mousset at half time."
McBurnie reaffirmed his commitment to Scotland a year ago, addressing his international team-mates to reassure them that disparaging comments about playing for his country, which were leaked on social media footage, were said in jest.
The news was mentioned on the 'Head's Gone' segment on Tuesday's edition of Drive.
Stand-in co-host Jamie O'Hara described McBurnie playing for his club after withdrawing from the Scotland team two days before as 'a liberty'.
As well as McBurnie, Scotland boss Steve Clarke is without the injured Leigh Griffiths and Lawrence Shankland from his strike force, while Hearts forward Steven Naismith has not played since March and was not included.
Sporting Kansas City forward Jonny Russell was unable to return to Scotland because of coronavirus travel restrictions.
Cardiff utility man Callum Paterson was called up following the withdrawal of Shankland and McBurnie.
The uncapped Lyndon Dykes is the only recognised centre-forward in the squad, although wide man Oli Burke has previously played through the middle.