Leeds United: Heckingbottom declares admiration for Barnsley loanee McBurnie

Head coach Paul Heckingbottom has declared his admiration for Barnsley's loanee star Oli McBurnie but says signing the forward for Leeds United from Swansea City is a 'different matter.'
Oli McBurnie.Oli McBurnie.
Oli McBurnie.

Heckingbottom brought 21-year-old McBurnie to former club Barnsley on a loan deal from Swansea at the end of January, one week before Heckingbottom left the Tykes to become head coach at Leeds.

The Whites have since been heavily linked with a move for McBurnie in the summer and United will now be faced with keeping the talented Scotland international quiet in Saturday’s Championship clash with the Tykes at Elland Road.

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Heckingbottom was present at Oakwell last Saturday to see Leeds-born McBurnie produce a stellar display as part of a potentially crucial 2-2 draw at home to Bolton Wanderers in which the Swansea loanee netted a dramatic equaliser in the 93rd minute.

Oli McBurnie.Oli McBurnie.
Oli McBurnie.

McBurnie has scored eight goals in just 13 appearances for the Tykes and the forward is due to return to Swansea in the summer with the forward contracted at the Swans until the summer of 2019.

Heckingbottom had initially tried to sign McBurnie on loan from Swansea in August 2017 but the move collapsed on transfer deadline day due to issues with paperwork.

McBurnie instead stayed with the Swans, making 11 appearances in the Premier League before his January loan switch to Oakwell.

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Asked for his thoughts on McBurnie and whether the forward would be someone he would like to bring in, Heckingbottom said: “That’s a different matter, but him himself, yes.

Oli McBurnie.Oli McBurnie.
Oli McBurnie.

“I thought I had it done deadline day the first time in August.

“I was really disappointed when that got messed up and that was obviously hard because we’ve seen his value then since.

“He’s done what I expected him to do, so he’s someone I’d be lying if I sat here and said I didn’t like the player because I tried to get him the first time, worked for months to try and get that one done, thought I’d got it and then obviously managed to get it over the line in January so people know I think he’s a good player and he’s gone on to prove that.”

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Playing on the left wing, the pacy McBurnie caused Bolton havoc in last weekend’s clash at Oakwell and Heckingbottom admits the Scotland international will be a key threat in Saturday’s Championship clash against the Tykes at Elland Road.

“He’s dangerous because he scores goals,” said Heckingbottom.

“He can be quiet and still score goals or he’s a clever player and can get in good areas that can hurt you as well.

“His main attribute is that he can score goals, either foot, with his head.”

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McBurnie’s side are desperately fighting relegation with the third-bottom Tykes just two points off safety and with the advantage of a game in hand.

Leeds are destined for a disappointing mid-table finish with the Whites 14th but Heckingbottom readily admits he needs a victory to improve his own record which so far reads just two wins in 13 games in charge of the Whites.

“100 per cent,” said Heckingbottom, asked if he felt the need for your own good to get a need on the board?

“We keep saying it over and over and that won’t change.

“The worst and best bit about football is the Saturdays. You can’t recreate that feeling, you can’t.

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“That’s the tough part of the job keeping that perspective. You try hard, you win things, you can’t get carried away, you get beat and you have to just remain focused on what it is. It’s not nice. It’s not nice.

“A win cheers everyone up and again you have to be boring about that and think it’s only one win and move onto the next one.