Oli McBurnie is in uncharted territory with Scotland’s senior squad but the attacker is determined to make this the first of many call-ups to the national side.
Leeds-born attacker McBurnie, whose parents come from Glasgow, has been included in the national squad for the first time by new manager Alex McLeish for friendlies against Costa Rica and Hungary.
McBurnie plays for Swansea City but has enjoyed a prolific spell on loan at English Championship side Barnsley since January, netting six goals in nine appearances.
McBurnie has been part of Scottish under-19 and under-21s squads but he feels ready to make the step up, and he said: “I am with the big boys now and it is massive. Even the press is different, everything around it.
“That comes with the territory. I’m only 21 but I have been in professional football for four or five years now and I am used to playing in front of crowds.
“The loan spells have been good for me. As have the few games I have played for Swansea. I have played at Anfield, I have played at St James Park and the Emirates. I am used to that sort of stuff so I want to go out and show what I am about.
“Obviously, Leigh Griffiths is injured at the minute and he is the number one. I just have to keep doing what I am doing at Barnsley and keep getting games and scoring goals.
“Who knows what will happen? I want to pull on the jersey for my country as many times as I can and score as many goals as I can.
“That’s what I am here to do. I am not just here to make up the numbers. I am here to try and have a positive influence and try and stay part of things.”
McBurnie is aware of the increasing pressure that falls on the shoulders of the Scots’ players, due to their failure to qualify for any major tournament since the 1998 World Cup in France.
Despite his youth, the 21-year-old is not fazed by the expectation, and he added: “Of course it has been too long. It has been disappointing for Scotland fans, me included.
“Obviously we can close last year and it was another tough one to take for the boys.
“But if you look in the squad, there is a lot of quality and a lot of young players doing well for their clubs. If they bring that quality onto the pitch, and come together as a national team, then it can only be good.
“There is no doubt there is more than enough quality to qualify. It’s about getting together and almost becoming a club unit.”
