Oliver Burke: There was a lot of weight on my shoulders with Scotland - but I don't regret a thing

But if pride comes before a fall then being prepared to swallow your pride clearly comes before a rise; the forward has managed to get a career that had stalled badly firmly back on track since featuring for Scot Gemmill’s side in that age-group tournament.

A subsequent loan move to Celtic from West Brom, where he had found first team opportunities hard to come by despite being signed for £15 million in 2017, has been hugely beneficial too. He has played regularly, and consistently well, both domestically and in Europe for the Parkhead club in recent weeks.

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Being named in Alex McLeish’s squad for the opening Euro 2020 qualifying double header against Kazakhstan and San Marino has justified both of his decisions. He has a strong chance of starting, either up front or out wide, in the national team’s Group I opener here in Astana on Thursday night.

Burke has been through a lot, not all of it necessarily positive, not all of it easy to deal with, since making his Scotland debut aged just 19 against Denmark at Hampden back three years ago. He wouldn’t change any of it. However, he admitted being recalled to the senior set-up, fully two years since he made his last appearance in a friendly against Canada at Easer Road, has been sweet.

“I don’t regret anything that’s happened, including being called up back then,” he said. “But the expectations and the weight that was placed on my shoulders at the time was a lot. But that’s just part of football. When you go to clubs for big money then these expectations come along with it.

“Obviously, I’d have liked to have done better and had a more successful start to my international career, but it was all completely new to me and everything seemed to be happening all at once; one minute being at Forest and the next at Leipzig and then being on the international stage.

“It all happened so quickly, in a matter of months. However, I’m back in the fold now after almost two years away from it and I’m very happy. I’m prouder of this call-up than the previous ones, although it’s amazing whenever you’re selected – a real privilege.

“But especially having been out of it for so long and dropping down to the under-21 squad. I’m just delighted to be back in. It’s an amazing feeling.”

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The 6ft 2in forward scored goals in wins against France and South Korea as Scotland finished fourth in the Toulon Tournament last summer and savoured every minute of the experience.

“For me it was no problem at all, a no brainer,” he said. “I remember getting the call when I was in Germany for the Toulon Tournament. I spoke to Malky Mackay (SFA Performance Director) and he talked about how important it would be to go to that tournament.

“As much as it was a step back it was still my age group and I was still up against great teams. We had a great team at the time too and we did really well. I thought that was a real boost for me, going with the 21s, and going to tournaments that are really important tournaments.

“At that tournament the coaches gave me the confidence and belief in myself again. Scot Gemmill and Malky at the time too. They let me go out there, enjoy my football again and do what you do and not think about everything else.

“I did that and it was successful. I think as a player you need that at times, someone to tell you you can do it and to give you that confidence to go and express yourself.”

With Leigh Griffiths taking an extended break from football and Steven Fletcher and Steven Naismith both out injured, Burke could feature up front for Scotland in their potentially awkward Euro 2020 opener against Kazakhstan in the Astana Arena later this week.

The 21-year-old has predominantly played wide on the right so far in his career. But he has been used as a lone striker at Celtic, including in the Europa League last 32 double header against Valencia, and will be comfortable if he is asked to perform there for his country in the coming days.

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“Every position has it’s different roles and responsibilities for the team especially at Celtic,” he said. “Here you have to stick with it and be a part of the team. As a striker it starts from you and everyone else follows and it’s a position of responsibility for that reason.

“I was drifting a little bit at times and going wide and forgetting I was a striker. It all comes down to learning the position and maturing. You have to realise there are great players in other positions and to let them do it. I have no need to drift out and have to stay in my position. I wanted to go back to my old ways, but it’s important to learn.”

Burke admitted he was still unsure what, if any, plans McLeish if he is involved. “I don’t know what it is!” he said. “I haven’t had a conversation with him, but I’m sure I will.”

Who will play in goals for Scotland following the international retirement of Allan McGregor is as unclear as who will start up front, but Burke feels Scott Bain, his Celtic team mate, will rise to the occasion if he gets the nod ahead of Liam Kelly of Livingston and Jon McLaughlin of Sunderland.

“He has been tremendous since he came in, making some unbelievable saves,” he said. “I think he is great, personally, and I really do think he will be able to do the job, no doubt about it. If he can do it here then why not with the national team? I think it is important for a keeper to be ice cold. I wish him all the best and I hope that it does work out for him.”

Many Scotland supporters are hoping that, finally, things come good for Oliver Burke.