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 , 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.