Macca’s Scotland call-up

The Clarets’ forward has been named in a 21-man squad for the game at Partick Thistle’s Firhill Stadium on Wednesday (kick-off 7-30 p.m.).

MacDonald has been rewarded for a scoring burst in the Clarets’ reserves which has seen him score five goals in his last three games.

“It’s fantastic,” said the 20-year-old. “It’s something I have been aiming for for a while, to get back into the Scotland fold.

“I’m buzzing and I can’t wait for it. It’s a great chance to go and show what I can do.

“It just goes to show that whenever you are playing, in the reserves or wherever, you have to try and perform the best you can.

“Hopefully I will get the chance to play and if I do well try and push myself nearer the first team here.”

MacDonald, who has previously been capped at Scotland under-19 level, has made eight first-team appearances for the Clarets.

But he did not figure last season when he spent a loan spell in the Scottish Premier League with Falkirk before undergoing hernia surgery, and is yet to feature so far this term.

However, boss Brian Laws is delighted to see the former Turf Moor trainee get further international recognition.

“It’s a positive move for the club and for Alex and let’s hope this can kick him on to better things,” said Laws.

MacDonald’s call-up re-unites him with coach Billy Stark, who was previously in charge of the Under 19s and is now looking to re-build following Scotland’s narrow failure to qualify for next summer’s European Championship finals.

“After the disappointment of missing out on next summer’s Under 21 Finals in Denmark we must now pick ourselves up and look towards the next campaign,” said Stark.

l BURNLEY Reserves’ home game against Tranmere Rovers next month has a new date.

The Totesport.com league game was originally scheduled for Tuesday, December 14th at Turf Moor (kick off 7 p.m.), but this game will now take place 24 hours earlier on Monday, December 13th. Kick off remains at 7 p.m.

The club’s AGM will be on the same night, from 5-30 p.m.