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Celtic attacker Oliver Burke sets his sights on Scotland return

Celtic attacker Oliver Burke sets his sights on Scotland return
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The 21-year-old West Brom attacker joined the Parkhead club on loan until the end of the season in January.

Oliver Burke is keen to get back on the Scotland trail as he rejuvenates his club career at Celtic.

The 21-year-old West Brom attacker joined the Parkhead club on loan until the end of the season in January and has made an immediate impact, featuring in all five games since the turn of the year and scoring twice in the 4-0 home win over St Mirren.

Burke won the last of his five Scotland caps under former national team boss Gordon Strachan in a 1-1 friendly draw with Canada in March 2017 and dropped back to captain the Under-21s in the Toulon tournament  last summer.

He is aware that Alex McLeish will soon be choosing his squad for the 2020 European Championship qualifying double-header in March against Kazakhstan and San Marino.

Ahead of the home game against Hibernian at Parkhead on Wednesday night, Burke said: "I am really eager. It is something I have my eyes set on and I really want to be back involved with it but we will see what happens.

"I have to perform and I have to show that I am capable of playing international first team (football).

"I am focused at club level right now. It is definitely a huge platform here.

"It is an amazing club and an amazing achievement for me.

"I feel very privileged and proud to be wearing the jersey and to be stepping out there.

"It is an amazing feeling and I hope I can continue and keep giving my all."

After playing a peripheral role at West Brom following his move from RB Leipzig in 2017 for a reported fee of £15million, the most expensive Scottish footballer is glad to be getting game time at the Parkhead club.

He said: "Every footballer clearly wants to play and be stepping out on the pitch every week.

"When it is not you, you have to make sure you are ready when called upon, as fit as possible, training really hard so when your chance happens you are ready to help the team.

"We are on a great run and the lads are really enjoying our football.

"The team morale is fantastic.

"Every game is a lesson for me and I am learning each day and it is a great feeling."

Meanwhile, recent signing Vakoun Issouf Bayo has been left out of Celtic's
updated Europa League squad.

UEFA rules dictate that clubs can only add three new players before the last 32 and Celtic have gone with on-loan Borussia Dortmund right-back Jeremy Toljan and forwards Burke and Timothy Weah.

Both Burke and Weah have played several games while Toljan made his debut as a half-time substitute against St Johnstone on Sunday.

Bayo is still getting up to fitness following his move from Slovakian side Dunajska Streda.

Celtic host Valencia on February 14 in the first leg of their knockout tie.

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Scotland assistant coach James McFadden pictured on November 18, 2018
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic1211103543134
2Aberdeen12101125121331
3RangersRangers12723179823
4Dundee UnitedDundee Utd135531914520
5Motherwell126151616019
6St Mirren145361923-418
7Dundee134362225-315
8Ross County143651222-1015
9St Johnstone144191727-1013
10Kilmarnock133371526-1112
11Hearts142391524-99
12Hibernian131571222-108


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