Hull City star Oli McBurnie sends defiant message after Southampton decision and Middlesbrough FC reprieve
Hull City forward Oli McBurnie issues defiant message after Southampton removal and Middlesbrough reprieve
Oli McBurnie has insisted “nothing changes” for Hull City after Middlesbrough were reinstated to the Championship play-offs at the expense of Southampton.
Southampton defeated Middlesbrough at the semi-final stage but later admitted to spying on Kim Hellberg’s side prior to their first leg meeting.
The Saints have since been kicked out of the play-offs, with Middlesbrough set to contest the play-off final against Hull as it stands.
Southampton are appealing the decision and hope to have it reversed, with the EFL are looking for a verdict to be delivered today.
The final at Wembley is due to take place on Saturday (May 23) and Hull are having to prepare without knowing for sure who they will be playing.
Oli McBurnie’s defiant message
After an independent disciplinary commission removed the Saints yesterday (May 19), Tigers forward McBurnie took to Instagram and said: “Mad day all round! Nothing changes, we take what’s ours on Saturday.”
It was McBurnie’s brace against Norwich City, on the final day of the regular season, that fired Hull into the play-offs. Sergej Jakirovic’s men had previously endured a run of six games without a win before bouncing back to beat the Canaries 2-1.
They then played out a goalless draw with Millwall in the first leg of their semi-final, later defeating the Lions 2-0 at The Den.
Oli McBurnie on Hull City’s experience
After his double against Norwich, McBurnie cited the experience in the Hull ranks as a major reason for their success.
He said: “I think it's (experience) been massive all season. I think that's a big reason we've been so successful.
“At times we haven't been the best team to watch or played the best stuff. But that know-how and then the character, even today, coming off the run that we've come off and then the other two teams (Wrexham and Derby County) on the runs that they're coming on, we're probably the least favoured team to go and get it done.
“You look around that dressing room and it's full of that (experience), and I think that's massive.”
The experience will be crucial as Hull prepare for the immense pressure that comes with a Championship play-off final outing.
McBurnie is among the senior figures in the Hull squad and this season, he has been the most prolific. Since making a free transfer move from Las Palmas in the last summer window, the 29-year-old has weighed in with 18 goals.
However, the former Sheffield United man’s exploits were not enough to secure him a place in Scotland’s World Cup squad.