Sheffield United striker Oli McBurnie has tried to explain the issues that have already arisen during his relatively short international career to date.
McBurnie has only played nine times for Scotland, but has received plenty of criticism for a variety of apparent misdemeanors.
The 24-year-old is currently away with his national team as they prepare to face Israel in a qualifier for next summer’s European Championship.
The first leg is at Hampden Park at 7.45pm tonight, before the Scots switch focus for back-to-back Nations League ties with Slovakia and Czech Republic.
They’ll face Israel again in the second leg next month.
McBurnie was left out of the Scotland squad for the last international break in September because of fitness issues. However, there was backlash when the forward played 45 minutes as a substitute for the Blades during a pre-season friendly with Derby County.
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McBurnie told The Guardian this was decided between national team boss Steve Clarke and United manager Chris Wilder.
Yet it didn’t stop the critics coming out on social media.
Other issues for McBurnie while with Sheffield United
McBurnie previously apologised after a video posted online by the South Yorkshire club got him in trouble with some members of the Tartan Army.
In it, he joked about not wanting to join up with the national squad with fellow Scot John Fleck.
Born in Leeds and with a Yorkshire accent, some have also questioned McBurnie’s Scottish credentials. Which he is quick to counter.
“I have always considered myself Scottish, I was always told I was Scottish. It never really was a choice for me as in Scotland-England because it was always Scotland,” he said.
As for the fans who criticise him, McBurnie chooses to ignore it:
“I don’t get anything for playing for Scotland; bonuses, money, anything like that. The only reason I do it is because I want to play. If I didn’t want to, I just wouldn’t.
“My heart is in it, my head is in it, all I want to do is help my country. I want to please the fans but having the respect and admiration of my teammates and manager is enough for me.”