Steve Clarke has omitted Hull City striker Oli McBurnie from his Scotland squad for the World Cup, despite the forward scoring twice as many goals as the selected Southampton striker in the Championship this season. Clarke revealed he had conversations with some players who missed out, but McBurnie was not among them.

The Scotland head coach expressed frustration that McBurnie had publicly revealed details of a private phone call. "I thought that was a private conversation, to be honest," Clarke said. "It shouldn't have gone to the media." When questioned about a potential personality clash, Clarke explained: "I tend to stick with players that I've had before. I trust them, they know what I expect from them."

McBurnie told The Sun he had "not heard anything" directly from Clarke and admitted it had "been tough" as he "tried everything I could to get into that squad and I've come up short." Clarke is out of contract after the tournament following seven years in charge and wants his future resolved before Scotland depart for the United States on June 11. Hull City face Middlesbrough in the Championship play-off final on Saturday.