SEAN Dyche's success at Burnley is no surprise to his former charge Tommie Hoban.

The 24-year-old came through the ranks at Watford and was on the cusp of making the breakthrough to become a regular first team player during Dyche's season in charge at Vicarage Road.

Hoban's career has stalled due to injury in recent seasons but he made a dash to Pittodrie last Wednesday to join Aberdeen on loan and he made his Dons debut on Thursday night in the Europa League second qualifying round first leg tie against the Clarets.

He is part of the travelling party for the second leg at Turf Moor tonight and visited the ground with the rest of Derek McInnes' squad on Wednesday, where he spoke about the influence Dyche had had on his career.

"He was very helpful to me in the early stage of my career, especially being a defender as well," said Hoban.

"When I trained up with the first team he’d give me tips to try and make me a better player.

"I was in the youth team at the time but over a two-year period I trained with the first team quite a bit and played a few games as well."

After losing his job at Watford after a year Dyche took over at Burnley in October 2012, when the Clarets were a mid-table Championship side.

In just under six years at Turf Moor he has guided the club to the Premier League and now into Europe, but the success doesn't surprise Hoban.

"He’s done fantastic for himself, what Burnley have done in the last few years is incredible," the defender said.

"At that stage he was just starting out in his managerial career, Watford was his first club and he did very well with us and it was no surprise that he’s gone on to do what he’s done.

"He’s what you see, he’s a really good guy, especially with the young lads, at the time he was very helpful.

"He was assistant coach to Malky for a period, as a coach he was very good and he helped me with my game."