Scottish strikers to the fore in Championship finale
Tommy Conway's fifth in six games helped secure a play-off place for Middlesbrough [Getty Images] Four Scottish World Cup striker hopefuls finished the regular Championship season with a flourish to add to head coach Steve Clarke's potential selection dilemma. George Hirst, who has earned eight caps since his first call up just over a year ago, opened the scoring for Ipswich Town and set up the second for Jaden Philogene as they beat Queens Park Rangers 3-0 to secure second spot and promotion back to the Premier League. The recently recalled Tommy Conway opened the scoring for Middlesbrough as they drew 2-2 away to Wrexham to finish fifth and set up a semi-final against Southampton.
Ross Stewart, who earned his last Scotland cap in June 2022, scored Saints' second goal as they beat Preston North End 3-1 to secure fourth spot and set up the tie against Conway's side. Meanwhile, Oli McBurnie continued his push for a first Scotland call-up in five years by scoring twice as Hull City came from a goal behind to beat Norwich City and secure sixth place and a semi-final against Millwall. His first came from the penalty spot and his second took his total for the season to 18.
Fellow 29-year-old Stewart has scored 10 times during a season curtailed by injury but has now found the net seven times in his latest 14 outings. Conway is on 13, the 23-year-old having scored five in his latest six outings, while 27-year-old Hirst now has 11 for the season. In contrast, Lyndon Dykes, who has been favoured by Clarke in recent seasons along with Torino's Che Adams, failed to score for the sixth game running despite the 30-year-old starting up front for Charlton Athletic in a 3-1 defeat by Swansea City and has six for the season.
Meanwhile, Scotland-capped right-back Liam Palmer scored already relegated Sheffield Wednesday's second goal as former Scotland midfielder James Morrison suffered defeat in his first game since being named West Bromwich Albion manager on a permanent basis.