In Profile : Oli McBurnie, Swansea or Rangers ? His choices examined
Thursday, 20th Jun 2024 15:47 by Liam Walters & Keith Haynes

In another of our player profile series we take a look at a familiar face to the Swansea City support. That figure is Oli McBurnie, currently contracted to Sheffield United for the next ten days. This series each transfer window has seen a tremendous growth in viewing figures which in turn assists our charity alliance with the Brain Tumour Charity. So, thanks for your continued support.

Come the end of this month Oli will be looking for a new club, in fact he can do so now with a few clubs mentioned, but as of today nothing at all has progressed. With the Swans still looking to time their offer for Macauley Langstaff at Notts County some would say ‘McBurnie is a better choice’ Others would be thinking, ‘Why not go for both’ ? We are making no predictions there but can you imagine the statement the Swans would make by doing so ?

The only thing that would possibly ensure something as groundbreaking as that type of move would be the transfer away from the club of Jerry Yates who has had a pretty poor season. All conjecture of course, we are just chatting, but this is what the Swans have to do to become recognisable as a genuine promotion contender, and more as well needs to be done.

Oli had a decent time at the Swans and set a Scottish record for a player transferred between professional clubs when he joined Sheffield United in August 2019. The figure believed to be around eighteen million pounds with add ons secured the Blades their new striker. His previous club, Bradford City got a windfall of two million pounds as well. No stranger to the edgier side of a footballers life, scrapes with the law ensued, drink driving and then an alleged assault in the street followed by a trial for an allegation of assault after Nottingham Forest fans surrounded his team mates after running on to the pitch. He was cleared of any wrongdoing. As you would expect the Indy covered the verdict.

That’s here —> ⚽️ Oli cleared

However, Oli has always been a Swans favourite, he attends games featuring the Swans with friends from the area when he can, including Joe Rodon’s brother, Sam. That link has endeared himself to the Jack Army, especially in the numerous derby defeats of Cardiff City. That aside there is a more potentially bigger football bucket list tick for McBurnie.

Glasgow Rangers.

Most people know of his support for the blue side of Glasgow, and now having just turned twenty eight Oli is ripe for a move to the club. This is his biggest career decision for a player in his prime. He is out of contract and would receive more money playing for Rangers than Swansea. The figures of course aren’t known but it’s a fairly obvious statement. Plus he wants to play for Glasgow Rangers. "Listen, Rangers is a special club. Have you ever been to the Old Firm? I've been to plenty of Old Firms and I've never experienced a game like it, either playing or watching. Most people who have ever been to them will say the same. I hope one day, by the end of my career, I play for Rangers. I hope I get to experience that side of it”

Those comments are quite recent, and regardless of the fact it’s just his wish currently, that will not be lost on Rangers. Having seen seventeen Scotland International caps, sadly without a goal he would also like to have another crack at that side of the game for sure. Despite withdrawing from numerous squads, and indeed not being selected as first choice up front for the Blades, a contract offer at Ibrox would most certainly get his attention. His goalscoring achievements haven’t been matched in the Premier League when compared to the Championship, but with an older head and top flight experience he must be somewhere within Rangers thinking.

Yes, there have been links to Swansea for a return to west Wales, but we’ve heard nothing of any move by the Swans for the player that would deserve reporting. By that we mean some genuine contract talks for Oil. With ten days to go before the end of the month, and finances very much in mind regards profit and sustainability a post June move could suit the Swans.

Oli played in thirty Premier League games for the Swans but returned no goals, this was early on in his career, but in the Championship over forty two games he secured twenty two goals for the Swans. That led to a career pathway that has secured the players financialfuture you would think. He is seemingly personally torn between his two loves in football, the Swans and the Gers. However, with nothing concrete they remain dreams for Oli. Much will have to happen if Oli was to be secured as a Swansea player, not least his salary. Yes, he would be available on a free but that opens up some big talks on a signing on fee. Plus he would most certainly be demanding a salary that puts him right at the top of the biggest Swansea wage earners.

Can that be achieved ? Well, anything can be done with the right mindset and dedication, but the key factor is money and that is most certainly what is restricting the Swans choices this summer. Based on that Oli is most certainly a nice to have, but really is he someone who could fire the Swans up the table this coming season ? We think yes, but let’s not forget about Langstaff, if a choice had to be made, what would you do ?