Ally McCoist texts Oli McBurnie to not give up hope of shock last-minute Scotland World Cup call-up

Ally McCoist has revealed the text message he sent to Oli McBurnie after Hull City’s promotion to the Premier League.

The Tigers beat Middlesbrough at Wembley Stadium in the Championship play-off final on Saturday.

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McBurnie’s stoppage time strike was the only goal of the game as Hull secured a top-flight return after nine years away.

His goal was his 18th in 40 Championship appearances this season including the play-offs.

However, McBurnie was left out of Steve Clarke’s final 26-man Scotland squad for the World Cup.

Instead, Clarke selected Lyndon Dykes, Che Adams, Lawrence Shankland, George Hirst and Ross Stewart as his striking options.

McCoist believes McBurnie could still earn a late call-up for the tournament, though, if Scotland suffer any injuries.

The Tartan Army will begin their campaign against Haiti on June 13.

It follows warm-up matches against Curacao and Bolivia prior to the tournament.

Scotland will also face Morocco and Brazil in the group stage at their first World Cup finals for 28 years.

McCoist’s message for McBurnie

Following Saturday’s play-off final, McCoist hailed McBurnie’s performances on Tuesday’s talkSPORT Breakfast show.

Speaking to Jeff Stelling, he explained: “I said he was extremely unlucky not to make the Scotland squad. I thought he should have been in the Scotland squad.

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“I just think he’s had a fantastic season. What did he end up with? 17 or 18 (goals), whatever it was.

“Important goals, really important goals and there was something fitting about him knocking that in, in the 94th, 95th minute.

“I sent him a wee message. I was delighted for him, absolutely delighted for him.

“I just want him to keep saying the right things, doing the right things, because the World Cup is still a wee bit away and you never know what happens.”

McBurnie returned to English football in August, joining Hull on a free transfer after a season with Las Palmas.

His tally this season was second only to Championship top scorer Zan Vipotnik.

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It was not enough to earn a first Scotland call-up for over five years, though.

The 29-year-old has 17 caps for his country, with the last of those coming against the Faroe Islands in March 2021.