THE last Burnley player to feature in a major international tournament has told the Clarets’ Euro 2016 trio that they will have the ‘time of their lives’ in France.

Billy Hamilton was a Turf Moor regular when he represented Northern Ireland in the 1982 World Cup in Spain.

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Thirty-four years after Hamilton, and Burnley teammate Tommy Cassidy, went with Northern Ireland to Spain, the current crop of Clarets will be represented in France by Tom Heaton, with England, Wales’ Sam Vokes and the Republic of Ireland’s Stephen Ward.

“It’s a tremendous honour to represent your country, but not only that you’re representing the club you come from as well because all the supporters will be glued to the TV to see how you do,” said Hamilton.

“It’s an honour and a privilege and you try and do well for both. It is the time of your life, it’s great to be a part of.

“What a lot of people don’t understand is it’s hard work as well. The training is intense and taking all the things in that you have to take in is tough, you do a lot of tactical work and it becomes very tough.

“Sometimes it can be too intense and the mood in the camp goes stale.

“In the Northern Ireland squad we had a bunch of practical jokers so that lifted the mood and made it good to be a part of.”

Burnley captain Heaton made his England debut against Australia last Friday and heads to France as the Three Lions third choice goalkeeper.

Vokes is battling for a starting spot in Chris Coleman’s side with Hal Robson-Kanu and will be hoping to add to his 39 caps, while Ward netted his third Ireland goal on Tuesday in their 2-1 friendly defeat to Belarus.

The trio were all confirmed in 23-man squads for their countries on Tuesday and Hamilton believes all three will benefit from their European Championship experience.

“It does give you a big boost, you realise you’re going to represent your country and play against the best players in Europe, and you can only benefit from that, you come back better,” he said.

“You’re pitting yourselves against household names out there and you have to raise your game to play at that standard, that can only be a good thing.

“It’s an amazing chance for these players, but having said that you have to step up to the plate as well.

“Going to a tournament is hard work but it’s worth it, it makes you a better player and it’s good to have on your CV.”

Hamilton scored twice against Austria in the 1982 World Cup, and he added: “If you manage to get on the scoresheet you’re remembered for years and you can dine out on it for a long time.”

The only Claret not to make the final cut for squads was Northern Ireland’s Danny Lafferty, who was one of five names cut from a 28-man squad by Michael O’Neill.

Despite that Hamilton believes his country could cause a shock in France.

“I think they’re going to surprise a few people,” he said. “We’ve gone 11 matches unbeaten and Michael O’Neill has done a great job.

“He can go on to greater things, but we qualified top of our group with plenty to spare.”