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Wednesday, 10 February 2010

Australia News Burns Can Thrive In Premier Environment

EXCLUSIVE: Nathan Burns' representatives say the former Olyroo's new club AEK Athens has a Premiership feel as the Socceroo flyer makes his mark in the Greek Super League.

Burns has started brightly at AEK. He scored on debut and played the last 10 minutes in a friendly against Bolton recently at the 71,000 capacity Athens Olympic Stadium.

The former Adelaide United and AIS star's agent Bernie Mandic is also happy about the way the club is structured with so many younger, ex-players people running the club. He says it's a refreshing change.
He told au.fourfourtwo.com: "Olympiacos and Panathinaikos are obviously bigger (clubs) but I've always been quite reluctant to send a player to Greece.

"Not because I don't like Greece but because it's a high pressure environment and that has volatile presidents and management.

"Whereas we looked at this and went, 'well, this is the closest thing you'll find to a club that's run like a premier league club.

"The club is run by guys under the age of 40. The president was at the 2004 Euros where the Greeks won and he played in the premier league.

"The sports director and coach played in the premier league too, so it's probably the most advanced looking club in Greece.

Burns' pre-season, says Mandic, was interrupted by an injury picked up on Olyroo duty which put the former Reds man back three weeks.

"But that's all back on track now and yeah, they see him as a starting player. They sold their number 10, an attacking midfielder, so the environment was right for Nathan to basically make his mark.

"Because he's lost three weeks maybe he'll be a benchie. But Nathan's always surprised people. He was a benchie at Adelaide and people forget that Nathan was not wanted by anyone except John Kosmina.

"John basically took a punt and the rest is history. So, Nathan's done it the hard way for a long time so he's not over-awed by it.

He looks at it just like Adelaide United, 'I've got to prove myself'." As for the oft-asked question concerning both Burns and Bruce Djite, Mandic was diplomatic.

"Yeah it was a surprise but I don't make those decisions. People make their decisions and live by them."He added: "That's life, that's football. It's like deciding what is a good looking girl… it's subjective."

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