Dean Coney, Robbie Slater and William Saliba among footballers to score off their backsides

Oli McBurnie is back in the Scotland squad, and with a record of 20 appearances and zero goals, the striker said in a recent interview that "a tap-in on Saturday or one that goes in off my backside would be lovely". The backside comes up often when players talk of breaking a goal drought – but has it ever actually happened?

While no prolific striker has quite ended a barren run with a posterior poke, Guardian readers dug out a string of genuine backside goals – each with its own earthy charm.

Dean Coney, Norwich v Aston Villa, 1989

"Dean Coney for Norwich in a 2-2 draw with Aston Villa in 1989," writes Gary Southwell. "He charged down a clearance from Nigel Spink that rebounded off his backside and into the net. It was his only goal for the club."

Robbie Slater, Australia v Solomon Islands

Coney's feat was repeated at international level a few years later. "Australia's Robbie Slater, who won the Premier League while at Blackburn, springs to mind," writes Rohan Back. "Slater managed to score his first goal for the Socceroos with his backside, against the Solomon Islands, in his 21st full international." Slater's was the opening goal in a 6-2 win during qualification for France 98. Their coach, Terry Venables, reacted with the uncomfortable smile of a man who wondered how, in the space of 12 months, he'd gone from Gazza's wonder goal against Scotland to a backside ricochet against the Solomon Islands.

Souleymane Oularé, Cardiff v Stoke, 2002 playoff semi-final

On to Ninian Park in May 2002, where a playoff semi-final was settled by the posterior of a Guinean forward. "Souleymane Oularé played just two games for Stoke City, scoring a single goal in a playoff semi-final against Cardiff," writes Mike Richardson. "It was the winning goal in extra time, putting Stoke into the final. He became a bit of a club legend."

Stoke, who had lost the first leg 2-1 at home, forced extra time at Ninian Park when James O'Connor scored in the 90th minute. Then, with five minutes of extra time to play, O'Connor's free-kick hit Oularé and bounced into the net. Oularé, brought on as a substitute when Stoke were chasing the game in normal time, had been out of the team for almost four months. "He was signed in December 2001, but was ruled out for most of the season following a life-threatening blood clot after his debut against Northampton," adds Simeon Goldstraw. "After four years in the third tier, the lowest the club has ever been, Stoke went on to beat Brentford in the playoff final."

William Saliba, Arsenal v Manchester United, 2024-25

William Saliba's Arsenal career has been a bit more substantial. The defender scored with his rump against Manchester United in 2024-25, and Thierno Barry slid the ball into the net with his behind to give Everton victory at St James' Park last season.

Sjoeke Nüsken, Chelsea v Arsenal, WSL March 2024

In the Women's Super League, a big deflection off Sjoeke Nüsken put Chelsea 3-0 up in their vital clash against Arsenal in March 2024 – although the column is "not entirely sure whether it came off her backside or her leg."

David Robertson, Dundee United v Rangers, 2010

Let's finish with a famous goal at Tannadice in 2010, when Rangers' hopes of a domestic treble ended with a Scottish Cup quarter-final defeat by Dundee United. The only goal was scored in bizarre circumstances by David Robertson. Again, we're not 100% sure it's a bona fide backside goal. Either way, it's well worth a look.