McBurnie's La Liga Switch: From Sheffield to Real Madrid
Oli McBurnie has quickly adapted to life in Spain after his summer transfer from Sheffield United to La Liga side Las Palmas. While he hasn't yet found the back of the net in the Canary Island club's first two league matches, the Scotland striker is already celebrating a different kind of achievement: a clean disciplinary record.
Known for his fiery temperament on the pitch, McBurnie was sent off twice in the Premier League last season and accumulated ten yellow cards in the previous campaign. However, he's embracing a newfound calmness in Spain, having yet to receive a caution in his two La Liga appearances.
"My agent was really worried about my disciplinary record before I moved here," McBurnie told BBC Sport. "He was concerned about dissent, saying the referees are different in Spain compared to England. But so far, it's been fine. Two games, no yellow cards and no arguments with the referee."
This Thursday, McBurnie faces his biggest challenge yet in his blossoming La Liga career, as Carlo Ancelotti's European and Spanish champions, Real Madrid, visit the Estadio Gran Canaria.
"I've played against Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal for years, but Real Madrid and Barcelona are different," said McBurnie, who spent five years in Sheffield. "I don't know if it's because we're British and don't see them as often, but it's a different feeling."
The anticipation for the game is palpable, with McBurnie's friends eagerly seeking tickets. "Everyone wanted tickets for this game," he explained. "No one was asking for them when we played Leganes at the weekend."
Despite a lack of goals in the opening two matches, McBurnie is claiming a goal in the season opener against Sevilla, referencing the club's social media post acknowledging that he scored the opening goal before they eventually drew 1-1.
"I'm a striker, I claim everything," he joked. "But I don't just want to score because it's Real Madrid. I want to score in every game I play. If we get three points and I don't score, that's perfectly fine by me."
With a point from their first two games, Las Palmas will be hoping McBurnie can finally find his scoring boots against Real Madrid. However, regardless of the result, his newfound discipline and focus on the team's success suggest he is already making a positive impact at the club.
