Oli McBurnie Returns to Scotland Squad After Five Years

Oli McBurnie has been handed a route back into international football, with the Hull City striker recalled to the Scotland squad for the first time in five years as Sebastien Pocognoli names his first selection as head coach.

The 30-year-old, whose last cap came in 2021, headlines a squad packed with fresh faces and returning names. Uncapped quintet Luis Binks, Colby Donovan, Jon McCracken, Josh McPake and Stephen Welsh all make the cut, while Stoke City defender Luke Graham and Sevilla forward Robbie Ure receive their first senior call-ups as anticipated.

McBurnie back in from the cold

McBurnie’s Scotland story has always felt incomplete. Sixteen caps, no goals, but one nerveless penalty in the shootout that took the national team to the delayed Euro 2020 finals. Then the line went dead.

Pocognoli has decided that chapter is not finished. The forward, who first broke into the squad in 2018, is back in the frame as Scotland enter a new era without long-serving boss Steve Clarke.

Che Adams, though, is absent. Reports in Italy suggest the Torino striker is injured, and his omission opens the door for a reshaped forward line featuring McBurnie, Ure, Kieron Bowie and James Wilson.

New faces, new battles

Binks, 25, has long been on the radar. The Brondby defender has represented both England and Scotland at youth level and now steps up to the senior side for the first time.

Donovan’s rise has been sharper. The 20-year-old has forced his way into the picture at Celtic, impressing while covering for injured Canada right-back Alistair Johnston. Like McBurnie, he has worn the Scotland shirt at under-19 and under-21 level; now he gets his shot with the seniors.

Graham’s inclusion feels like the natural next step. After a breakout season with Dundee, where he collected both players’ player and young player of the year awards, the defender joined Stoke and has quickly become an ever-present. He was on the bench for Scotland’s pre-World Cup send-off win over Curacao in May, Clarke’s final match in charge at Hampden. This time, he arrives as a Championship regular in a Potters side unbeaten in four.

Welsh, now at Swansea City, also stands on the brink of a first cap after years of being tipped as a future international.

Goalkeepers and familiar returns

In goal, there is a blend of the known and the new. Falkirk’s Scott Bain, capped four times, returns after previous involvement under Clarke. Bradford City’s Jon McCracken, also named in earlier squads by the former manager, is back in contention as Pocognoli weighs up his long-term options between the posts.

There are recalls, too, for Bowie, Josh Doig, Lennon Miller and Wilson, all rewarded for strong club form. The message is clear: early-season performances matter.

Hearts rewarded, but not all

At Tynecastle, Wouter Vrancken predicted Hearts would be well represented, and he was right to be “confident”. Winger McPake earns a first call-up, while his attacking team-mate Wilson – already capped twice – also makes the squad.

Calvin Miller, though, misses out. In a squad full of attacking wide options and emerging forwards, there was always going to be at least one high-profile omission from Hearts.

Ure’s race for allegiance

Ure might be the most intriguing name of all. A former Rangers academy forward, he lit up Sweden with Sirius last season, scoring 20 goals and adding three assists in just 20 matches to fire the club to the top of the table. That form triggered a £5.5m summer move to Sevilla.

La Liga has not yielded a goal yet for the 22-year-old, but his potential is obvious – and so is the urgency. Eligible for Ukraine as well as Scotland, Ure has attracted attention on the international stage. Pocognoli’s decision to bring him in now looks like a clear attempt to secure his future in dark blue.

Midfield balance and left-sided options

On the left, Doig returns after establishing himself in Serie A, while Udinese midfielder Miller is also called up, another young talent stepping into the senior environment. Their inclusion, alongside Binks and Donovan, gives Pocognoli fresh energy in defence and midfield as he reshapes the squad in his own image.

The pattern is unmistakable. Established names recalled, promising youngsters promoted, dual-nationality players fast-tracked.

A new Scotland manager, a new squad, and a familiar question: who will seize the moment this time?