ID :
72880
Thu, 07/30/2009 - 13:39
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Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/72880
The shortlink copeid
Jacob Burns to captain Perth Glory
(AAP) - New Perth Glory skipper Jacob Burns believes the club has the ability to become a force in the A-League - and then Asia.
Burns, who takes over the skipper's armband from Jamie Coyne, said earning a maiden
A-League finals berth was the Glory's first aim.
But with a squad now boasting marquee striker Mile Sterjovski, Socceroos defender
Chris Coyne, Burns and former Blackburn and Derby County hardman Andy Todd, hopes
are high in the Glory camp.
Burns said the club had the potential to establish themselves as a regular
participant in the Asian Champions League by finishing in the top two in the
A-League.
"You've got to set your goals high and work towards them," Burns said on Wednesday.
"With the A-League joining the ACL it's great exposure for the teams.
"You are playing great teams from all over Asia and to be a top-two team in this
country and to go on and do something like Adelaide did (in making the ACL final),
it would be fantastic for this club.
"Over the next few years that's what our targets are, to be up there as a top team
in the A-League and then push on in the ACL."
Burns, who played with fellow Socceroos Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka during his time
at Leeds United, is no stranger to the role of being captain after leading English
club Barnsley and Polish outfit Wisla Krakow.
The 31-year-old midfielder said he was "over the moon" when Glory coach Dave
Mitchell offered him the captaincy gig.
"I have to be a leader on the pitch, be consistent in my own game and performance,
kind of rub off on the rest of the lads and be someone they can depend on," he said.
Burns said he had recovered from a niggling hamstring complaint and would lead out
the side in their season opener away to Adelaide United of August 7.
But Todd is facing a race against time to be fit for the clash after injuring his
back during a pre-season friendly against North Queensland two weeks ago.
The flu has also grounded several Perth Glory players but Burns insisted the team
would have no excuses when the season kicks off.
"It's not the ideal way to be going in but we are fully focused on what we've got to
do," he said.
"We've got enough depth and guys to cover roles.
"You've got two or three guys in every position vying for spots, and that's a good
headache to have for Mitchell."
Burns, who takes over the skipper's armband from Jamie Coyne, said earning a maiden
A-League finals berth was the Glory's first aim.
But with a squad now boasting marquee striker Mile Sterjovski, Socceroos defender
Chris Coyne, Burns and former Blackburn and Derby County hardman Andy Todd, hopes
are high in the Glory camp.
Burns said the club had the potential to establish themselves as a regular
participant in the Asian Champions League by finishing in the top two in the
A-League.
"You've got to set your goals high and work towards them," Burns said on Wednesday.
"With the A-League joining the ACL it's great exposure for the teams.
"You are playing great teams from all over Asia and to be a top-two team in this
country and to go on and do something like Adelaide did (in making the ACL final),
it would be fantastic for this club.
"Over the next few years that's what our targets are, to be up there as a top team
in the A-League and then push on in the ACL."
Burns, who played with fellow Socceroos Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka during his time
at Leeds United, is no stranger to the role of being captain after leading English
club Barnsley and Polish outfit Wisla Krakow.
The 31-year-old midfielder said he was "over the moon" when Glory coach Dave
Mitchell offered him the captaincy gig.
"I have to be a leader on the pitch, be consistent in my own game and performance,
kind of rub off on the rest of the lads and be someone they can depend on," he said.
Burns said he had recovered from a niggling hamstring complaint and would lead out
the side in their season opener away to Adelaide United of August 7.
But Todd is facing a race against time to be fit for the clash after injuring his
back during a pre-season friendly against North Queensland two weeks ago.
The flu has also grounded several Perth Glory players but Burns insisted the team
would have no excuses when the season kicks off.
"It's not the ideal way to be going in but we are fully focused on what we've got to
do," he said.
"We've got enough depth and guys to cover roles.
"You've got two or three guys in every position vying for spots, and that's a good
headache to have for Mitchell."
