WHEN Chris McCann puts his feet up in the summer to reflect on a whirlwind year, he will have a season of firsts to draw on.

A stunning rise from youth team to first team, a first senior goal against tomorrow's opponents Ipswich Town and, to cap everything, a first senior contract.

Now the Irish teenager has every incentive to take his game to a higher level over the next three-and-a-half years.

"When I look back to last summer, I can't believe how much has happened," said the midfielder, who was first spotted playing for Home Park in his homeland.

"Going to Austria on the pre-season training trip was a massive step and I genuinely expected to come back and train with the youth team.

"I thought I was making up the numbers and I never imagined I would get a shout, but I got back from Austria and I was handed a squad number and couldn't believe it.

"It was a huge leap for me and the pace of playing with the senior lads was frightening. They were so much quicker and it's taken me a while to adjust.

"But I think I am getting there ... slowly!"

There lies an apt description for contract talks that finally saw McCann pen a senior deal over Christmas after weeks of negotiations.

Three days after the ink dried, McCann returned from a month of exile to score a wonder goal at QPR and prompt boss Steve Cotterill to reveal: "Chris would have been playing weeks ago if he has signed his contract!"

And there are certainly no regrets from the youngster, who is now looking to repay the manager who gave him that all important leg up in the game.

"In the end, how could I not sign the contract?," said McCann. "It was on the table for a little while and there was a bit of negotiating, but I was delighted to get it out of the way eventually.

"This club has given me an amazing opportunity to play at such a high level and I'm grateful for that. Now I want to do my stuff on the pitch and do well for the manager and Burnley."

The next opportunity to do just that comes at Portman Road tomorrow, where McCann is expected to start from the bench against the club he opened his Clarets goalscoring account against last September.

He recalled: "I don't think you ever forget moments like that and hopefully they are a lucky omen and I can come on and score again.

"But whatever happens between now and the end of the season is a bonus because I never expected what has already happened.

"At my age, with my experience, there's no way I can be expecting to playing regularly.

"I'm going to be in and out and I understand that, but hopefully I can end the season well and next season push myself further for a regular place."