THIRD DEGREE BURNS FOR DJ
HAT-TRICK GOAL: Aaron Burns slots past Niall Morgan
‘THANK heavens for Aaron Burns’ was the declaration of David Jeffrey following Linfield’s 3-0 win against Dungannon Swifts on Saturday.
Burns bagged a classy hat-trick to help the champions reclaim their seven-point lead at the top of the Carling Premiership.
Tempestuous conditions did little to encourage fluid football at Windsor Park – at times the action was laborious and lacklustre.
Step forward 19-year-old Burns, the wing wizard who lit up the international stadium with some rapier attacking football that reaped three goals.
The first certainly warmed the cockles of the supporters who braved the elements, Burns running the length of Dungannon’s half before slotting past Niall Morgan.
Two more would follow in the second half, completing a routine victory for Linfield.
“Thank heavens for Aaron Burns,” Jeffrey admitted.
“It was a difficult day to play football, what with the swirling wind and the conditions.
“I emphasised to the players to try and play football, and they played some excellent football at times.
“I don’t think you will see three finer finishes from a midfield player. I thought it was absolutely exquisite.
“The first goal Aaron took the ball just inside Dungannon’s half and went on a mesmerising run – a great individual goal and finish with his trustworthy right foot.
“The second was a great piece of play by Michael Carvill and neat finish from Aaron, and the third was good football again and another lung-busting run from Aaron who was in the right area and kept cool to slot it away.
“He epitomised everything good about the team and he deserves all the plaudits and headline this weekend.”
Burns is enjoying a stellar season in the blue jersey, defying his tender age to produce some impressive performances this term.
Jeffrey admits his teenage protégé has come a long way since making his debut three years ago.
“He was 16 when he made his debut in a Big Two Boxing Day game, and his journey has been impressive,” he said.
“There have been times when he has maybe not featured, and that comes with youth. We protected him and looked after him, but someone has to be receptive if they want to develop and Aaron has matured exceptionally well.
“He started the season fantastically well and then had a wee dip. Then we brought Aaron back in and he has taken off again.
“So today was an absolutely super performance from him.”
Burns broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute, picking up possession on the halfway line before scything through the Dungannon defence and slotting past Morgan.
The second arrived in the 53rd minute courtesy of a close-range tap-in, with the hat-trick goal coming with another cool finish in the 69th minute, the midfielder surging through on goal and dinking his shot past the advancing Morgan.
Burns was denied a fourth with Ryan O’Neill heading his shot off the line in the second half, and Michael Carvill also hit the post in the opening period.
“We had a bit of banter on Thursday night at training. I was saying there was an impostor pretending to be Aaron Burns because he was dreadful in training,” Jeffrey said.
“But I said you can be poor in rehearsals, as long as you do it on the stage.
“And he certainly did that today with that performance. It was absolutely superb.
“I haven’t enough superlatives for him.”
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Belfast
Tuesday 29 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 13 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 11 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South west
