Craig Beattie is “scared” that West Brom forward Oliver Burke could become like Mario Balotelli.
Balotelli performed well below expectations in his time in the Premier League with Manchester City and – more so – Liverpool, before he was eventually sent back to the near continent to have spells with Nice and AC Milan.
Burke, meanwhile, scored Scotland’s late winner in their 2-1 win over Cyprus on Saturday night, but largely failed to impress in a six-month loan stint at Celtic before that.
Speaking to The Herald, Beattie – who has played for both the Hoops and the Baggies – said that it looks at times as if Burke, 22, lacks ability going forward.
“I was watching the game on Saturday and I was hesitant to say it, but I’m scared that Oli Burke is going to turn into a [Mario] Balotelli,” Beattie said.
“I think he has all the ability in the world – he is so quick, his physique is incredible. There is no question he could improve his first touch but he has so much ability and so much potential.
“But I just watch him at times and think he doesn’t know where to run, he doesn’t want to run. There was a moment when Stephen O’Donnell had the ball in the right-back area late in the game and he was standing at the opposite side of the pitch.
“I was thinking: ‘Do you not know you need to be near side, giving him an option?’ I don’t know whether it is that he doesn’t want to do it or just hasn’t learned it yet. He has tonnes of ability but someone needs to get it out of him regularly.”
OPINION
Beattie is largely right here, there is a definite chance that Burke could become another flop if he is not careful. The 22-year-old made 19 appearances in all competitions in his time at Parkhead after joining in January, and he scored four goals and assisted three others. On the face of it, it doesn’t sound like that bad of a return, but when you analyse his performances closer, you begin to realise that he wasn’t all that good for Celtic. For example, on the final day of the Premiership season, he played the first 45 minutes against Hearts before being subbed off for 16-year-old Karamoko Dembele. The youngster had much more of an impact and was in the game straight away, unlike Burke. Next season is vitally important for the winger if he is to develop and make the best of his ability, and it could prove a crucial one in telling how good Burke can become.