Hull's Wembley hero McBurnie - a striker Scotland can do without?

Oli McBurnie has made 16 senior appearances for Scotland

There was already scrutiny over Steve Clarke's decision to omit Oli McBurnie from Scotland's World Cup squad.

After Saturday at Wembley, there might be much, much more.

McBurnie was Hull City's match-winning, promotion-winning hero - their new Dean Windass, in less spectacular but arguably far more dramatic fashion.

The 29-year-old Scot pounced on a mistake by Middlesbrough goalkeeper Sol Brynn in the fifth minute of stoppage time to score the only goal of the Championship play-off final.

It sent the Tigers back to English football's top flight after a 10-year absence.

His Wembley winner came just four days after the 19-goal forward was omitted from Clarke's squad for this summer's global extravaganza in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

So while he may not be going to the World Cup with Scotland, McBurnie is going to the Premier League with Hull.

"I am quite pleased he is not going to the World Cup because now he can rest, " Tigers boss Sergej Jakirovic told BBC Sport.

"He had a conversation with the head coach (Clarke) and it was explained to him what the situation was.

"He scores goals - but this [selection] is the job of an international coach and I respect that."

After naming his squad, Clarke intimated the player maybe did not fit into the type of character he wanted in his squad.

"You got the sense McBurnie could have scored a hat-trick in every game in the last two months of the season and Clarke would have been unmoved," wrote BBC chief sports reporter Tom English.

"Maybe he doesn't fancy him as a footballer, maybe he doesn't fancy him as a human being. Whatever."

Jakirovic, however, believes McBurnie is a positive influence in the Hull dressing room.

"He is a leader - he is different and has so much experience in the Championship and creates fear in opponents," the Croatian said of his former Swansea and Sheffield United forward.

Oli McBurnie's goal against Middlesbrough was his 19th of the season

McBurnie joined Hull City in August after a year playing for Las Palmas in Spain ended in relegation from La Liga.

He admitted at the time he was only returning to England to be part of something which excited him and he has more than repaid the faith shown in him by boss Jakirovic.

"There's something to be said for a team and a manager that really wants you," McBurnie said when first signing for the club.

"When I spoke to the manager, the first thing he said to me was, 'can you score me 15 goals?'"

Having started his career with Bradford City, McBurnie's career took off at Swansea where he scored 22 goals in 58 league appearances before making a £20m move to Sheffield United in 2019.

He played for five years under Chris Wilder at Bramall Lane and Jakirovic admits had circumstances been different in August, the Leeds-born forward would not be celebrating promotion with Hull.

"I know if Wilder is the manager of Sheffield United at the start of the season then Oliver McBurnie would be playing for Sheffield United, 100%," Jakirovic said.

"I spoke to Chris twice during the season and it was very, very interesting. He is very experienced in the Championship and he has also congratulated us."