SCOTT Arfield believes the freedom Sean Dyche gives his players on the pitch has helped so many of them improve during their time at Burnley.

The Clarets chief spoke recently about the success stories during his time in charge in the wake of Michael Keane’s ascension to England international.

But Dyche also highlighted the improvement in two of his first signings as Burnley boss - Tom Heaton and Arfield - believing both have taken giant strides forward since their free transfer arrivals in the summer of 2013.

Arfield had been released by Huddersfield and Burnley beat off interest from Southend and MK Dons to sign the midfielder, who is now one short of 170 appearances for the club.

And the 28-year-old admits he could never have envisaged where the club would go under Dyche.

“It’s unbelievable, you deserve what you get and go and try and work for it, but I think we’d be lying if we said we thought we were going to be in this position four years ago when I came in on trial and Heats came in from Bristol City.

“I don’t think we could have seen how much we would have kicked on as players but more so the club and where the gaffer has taken this club. It’s sitting in a great place financially, the personnel is great, the training ground, he’s taken it to another level and I think everyone associated with it gets a major pat on the back for how far we’ve come.”

Arfield believes the secret to the success comes down to the freedom instilled by Dyche into the players.

“You can only go off different players at other clubs that you speak to and I think some teams don’t seem to give players the same freedom to go and play,” the Canada international said.

“At this club they let you go and play and the fans do as well, you feel at ease and you just let your ability shine through.

“I don’t think at other clubs it’s like that but at this club the structure is gearing towards success.”

Arfield and Heaton have remained key members of the Clarets squad since their arrival, progressing as the club have moved forward to a second Premier League campaign and now to the brink of survival in the top flight.

The former Falkirk youngster said it was clear from the vision sold by Dyche to the squad during that first summer that progress was on the cards.

“You could see from him as a manager and his staff that with the right team and the right squad he could take it to the next level and it happened,” Arfield said.

“It was no shock to us. His vision has remained the same since the first day I came in and I think that shows with the players as well, we’re singing from the same hymn book. Everybody knows their role, we don’t get ahead of ourselves and that’s why we’re in that position.”