Young Gunner Randall joins Clarets

4:23pm Thursday 31st January 2008

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By Suzanne Geldard »

BURNLEY manager Owen Coyle believes their FA Cup performance against Arsenal was pivotal in securing Gunners midfielder Mark Randall on loan until the end of the season.

Coyle has backed the talented 18-year-old to have a bright future at the Emirates, but is delighted to have a hand in his progression and provide the youngster with more first team football, following the two appearances he has made for Arsenal this term.

Randall is no stranger to Burnley, having been on the bench for the third round clash at Turf Moor on January, then later featuring in Arsenal youth team's 5-1 win over the Clarets in the FA Youth Cup last month.

"I think it's a great signing. We've monitored him for a while and we're excited about him as a player," said Coyle, who made the Milton Keynes-born starlet his third loan signing of the January transfer window, with striker Andrew Cole this week following Stanislav Varga from Sunderland on a deal until May.

"I watched him in the quarter final of the Carling Cup at Blackburn and he was a substitute against us, so he's been in and around the Arsenal first team.

"I think the cup tie helped us as well because Arsene Wenger realised we get the ball down and play and that will complement the way the boy plays."

Randall became the final piece Burnley's January jigsaw after Coyle had a third and final bid for Celtic striker Derek Riordan rejected last night.

The teenager, who made his full Arsenal debut in their Carling Cup quarter final win over Blackburn Rovers in December, has been given the number 10 shirt and goes straight into the squad for tomorrow's trip to West Bromwich Albion.

Although he didn't make an appearance in the FA Cup proper against the Clarets, he was instrumental in the FA Youth Cup clash that saw Arsenal win 5-1.