'He was a little bit emotional' - Sébastien Pocognoli lifts lid on Scotland recall for Hull City's Oli McBurnie
Hull City star Oli McBurnie’s international comeback has been discussed by Scotland head coach Sébastien Pocognoli
Scotland head coach Sébastien Pocognoli has revealed Hull City star Oli McBurnie was “a little bit emotional” following his recall to the international fold.
McBurnie was last capped by the Tartan Army in 2021 having been overlooked in the final years of Steve Clarke’s reign.
He delivered an 18-goal Championship haul last term, firing Hull into the Premier League, yet it was not enough to secure a place in Scotland’s World Cup squad.
Clarke has since been replaced by former Monaco boss Pocognoli, who has ended 30-year-old McBurnie’s international exile.
Oli McBurnie’s ‘emotional’ reaction
As reported by the Daily Record, Pocognoli said: “You know when I arrived I did not have any fixed perception about what had happened in the past - I just needed to make my own perception. I just wanted to analyse the players who can fit what I want to produce on the pitch.
“Actually, the first consideration was that Oli can fit what I want to produce. After this, yes, I called him and he was really excited to come back.
“He was a little bit emotional because he has wanted to come back for a long time. But he does not want to come back with revenge in mind or something like this. He wants to be here in the timeline right now and he is in good shape at Hull right now. He just wants to continue this with the Scotland national team.”
A new international chapter for Hull City forward
Former Sheffield United frontman McBurnie is now a seasoned operator and his experience could prove just as crucial as his goal threat for Scotland.
Pocognoli said: “He is not the same player, there are not the same teammates around him. It is not the same structure that I want to bring in.
“What he was doing last season, he showed he can score goals. What he is doing now with Hull City he is working hard not only on the ball, but off the ball as well. It is perfect for the game plan of this coach, I can see this.
“When I say he was emotional, what I mean is you could see it in his face he was very happy. He was like, ‘ah, I am back! This is where I want to be’.
“Honestly, his performances will give him the stature and that’s the important thing, just to talk on the pitch. If he is doing that everyone will be behind him. Not only him, but all the players are the same.
“It is a new environment, he is older and it is a new experience. If I just fixate on this, it would not be right. And If I feel I need to convince him, I would not have selected him. But he was really happy to be there. It is a fresh start for everybody. He’s a big personality and I like this. We need this. We need personality, a fighter.”