Oli McBurnie could be on the brink of promotion to the Premier League with Hull City.
McBurnie admits he wears “toddler’s shinpads” due to superstition and has a passion for travel. He nearly left Bradford City to join Freiburg when he was 19. Two years ago he turned down a contract offer from Sheffield United to join Las Palmas, learning Spanish within weeks and becoming a cult hero.
McBurnie’s Decision to Join Hull City
Last summer, McBurnie joined Hull. The Tigers were under a transfer embargo, had just appointed a little-known manager and were among the favourites for relegation. McBurnie said there were a few raised eyebrows when he signed.
“There were a few raised eyebrows, for sure, but I don’t like taking the safe option,” McBurnie tells The i Paper of his decision to join the Tigers over former club Sheffield United and a clutch of rival Championship clubs who were vying for his signature.
“But Hull felt a bit different. I like to do my due diligence and I had a few conversations – with [sporting director] Jared Dublin and [manager] Sergej Jakirovic. Acun [Ilicali] is also such an enthusiastic owner and that really came across but he wanted me to make a football decision, not an emotional one.
“He was almost sitting in the background until I signed, then when I made the decision he couldn’t do enough for me. Maybe you didn’t see it from the outside but I thought all the ingredients were there to be a successful team and successful club.”
Hull City’s Play-off Hopes
Nine months on McBurnie feels his hunch has been “vindicated”. Having over performed all season Hull regained their momentum to sneak back into the play-offs on a dramatic final day of the season that saw them leapfrog Wrexham and tee up a two-legged semi-final with Millwall. The club are the underdogs in the play-offs but are embracing it.
“I’d never thought of it this way but someone said to me the other day we were the only club who wanted to be in the play-offs on that final day,” McBurnie says.
“Millwall and Middlesbrough were playing for an outside chance of second, maybe that will have an impact, who knows? We’re all buzzing, there’s no fear, we’re just looking forward to it and I just think it’s going to be a special night, an ‘old school’ sort of Friday night game under the lights. It feels like whole city is up for it.”
Ilicali’s Influence
Ilicali bought the club four years ago and has driven the project. He was in tears at the final whistle on Saturday. He came into the dressing room after the game and gave the players a memorable speech.
“He has promised a few things, y