STRIKERS since time immemorial have won over a sceptical crowd by running themselves into the ground and popping up with a priceless goal or two. Now former Scotland striker Billy Dodds feels that is the perfect recipe by which Oli McBurnie to get the Tartan Army back onside following that social media controversy.
The £20m Sheffield United new boy, who has gone seven appearances without a goal for the national team, was recently recorded making what appeared to be derogatory comments about the attractions of joining up with Steve Clarke’s squad. While he has cleared the air about the matter with his international team-mates and backroom staff, Dodds knows there is no better time to break his duck than in the pivotal Euro 2020 qualifier against the Russians.
“McBurnie hasn’t proven anything down in the Premier League yet but he has started well, getting that goal the other week,” said Dodds, of the man who is vying with Matt Phillips and Steven Naismith for the nod up front against Russia. “With the big transfer fee, he will be full of confidence and adrenaline. He will desperate to play, even despite what has surfaced on social media recently. He will be horrified that has got out.
READ MORE: Steve Clarke urges Scotland fans to get behind £20m man Oli McBurnie against Russia
“While he hasn’t set the heather on fire for Scotland yet, you can’t say he hasn’t worked his socks off every time he has got in a Scotland jersey,” he added. “He needs a huge performance tonight - and must show that he is going to absolutely work his socks off for the cause. Hopefully he gets a goal too, because that is the only thing that is going to turn it for him. When you do something like that, the fans don’t tend to forget it quickly.
“He is one of those boys who depends on service, so hopefully we have some sort of spell playing in these teams’ final third. Make no mistake, these are the two hardest teams in the group so is facing a hard task, but he has the personality to do it.”
Russia will be a tough nut to crack but Dodds, who shared a Chelsea dressing room with Clarke during their playing days, can’t think of a better man to devise the formula which could provide a pivotal victory. Having said that, shortages in attack and defence remain a problem.
“Steve was always quiet, even as a player,” said Dodds. “But he would kick the living daylights out of you! He was steely, he didn’t shout from the roof tops but you were always wary of him.
“You just know he will come up with something, that is what he did at Kilmarnock,” Dodds added. “But we couldn’t face two harder games. When you play against lesser teams at home you have to be more expansive, but these two games will suit Stevie Clarke’s way of playing and formation to a tee.
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"While I feel this is our best group of players for a while, we just can’t get them out at the same time. If the manager is shrewd enough, as Stevie Clarke is, there is no doubt we have a group there which should be qualifying for tournaments again. The problem is getting them all out, getting them fit, and getting them playing in their best positions.
"We are strong midfield to front, no doubt, strong in the full back areas – although we could maybe use another right back. We seem to solve problems, then other problems come our way with the international team.
"Russia is key, especially the home game, if we are going to get ourselves back into it. But it is going to be difficult when you consider the strikers and the central defenders who aren’t available."
**Billy Dodds was speaking at the McDonald’s & SFA Fun Football Festival at Dundee United Sports Club. These festivals are taking place across the UK this summer, giving thousands of children the chance to enjoy the game. Find your nearest festival at www.mcdonalds.co.uk/funfootball
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