When Oli McBurnie sits down to talk, one of the first things you notice is Al Pacino staring at you, a large tattoo on the striker's left arm depicting the actor in full Scarface mode. Say hello to my little friend and all of that. "It's my favourite film," he says, on day one of his return to the Scotland fold after five long and controversial years on the outside looking in.
"I liked certain things about his personality [Pacino as the madman Tony Montana]. I liked the fact that he knew exactly what he wanted. "I don't condone a lot of his methods, but he knew what he wanted and he did anything to get it, so I think there's something that can be said for that." It's a humorous beginning to a conversation that covers a fair amount of ground in the build-up to Nations League matches against Slovenia (twice), Switzerland and North Macedonia: His feelings about Steve Clarke, the Scotland boss who cast him to the wilderness The perception in places that he's some kind of trouble-maker who's not all that bothered about adding to his 16 goalless caps The mistakes he made, the lessons he has learned, his fierce desire to finally score for his country.
"A tap-in on Saturday or one that goes in off my backside would be lovely." A long road back, McBurnie says about his years in exile, ended by this summons under new head coach Sebastien Pocognoli. "There were times when it looked like I was never going to come back," the 30-year-old tells BBC Sport Scotland in La Manga. "The older I've got and the more mature I've got, you really appreciate these times a lot more.
"When I was last in the squad, I was a kid really. You think it's just going to always be like this. I probably did take it for granted a little bit.
"I didn't play well enough when I put on the Scotland shirt. I can hold my hands up and say that. I didn't give the best representation of me as a player or as a person and that's something that I'm here to change.
"I'm just so thankful that I've been given the opportunity to do that. I'll be eternally grateful to the manager for giving me the chance. I'm more determined to go out there and prove why I belong here." Pocognoli has 'positive nervousness' for Scotland debut From leaving Rangers to La Liga - Scotland is next step for Ure Well-travelled Binks eager to make mark for Scotland He's here now because a change in manager has brought a clean slate and fresh eyes.
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