MICHAEL Keane paid tribute to the work Sean Dyche, Ian Woan and Tony Loughlan have done with him at Burnley in helping him realise his international dream.

The Clarets centre-back believes he has come on ‘leaps and bounds’ in his time at Turf Moor since joining from Manchester United early in the 2014/15 season.

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That improvement culminated in his first two starts for England over the past week, the first Burnley player to start for the Three Lions in 43 years, and Keane said representing the club on England duty had been ‘really special’ to him.

Keane joined the Clarets after just one Premier League appearance for the Red Devils, but he feels the move and regular football has helped him reach the international stage.

“I think I’ve improved massively defensively. I feel like the gaffer, Woany and Tone have drilled in to me every day the need to defend right and do the basics well; heading it, clearing it, organising,” the 24-year-old said.

“I feel like I’ve become more of a leader on the pitch and I feel much more confident from playing games and getting all that experience. I’ve come on leaps and bounds since I’ve been here but I know that I’ve got to keep improving and there’s a lot more to come.”

Keane revealed Dyche had text him a few words of advice ahead of the 24-year-old’s debut against Germany in Dortmund and, although he impressed with his passing in the two games, he was aiming to follow the Burnley boss’ mantra of making sure his defending was right first.

“He was wishing me all the best and giving me little bits of advice to work my way into the game slowly and that’s what I did,” he said.

“I built on the basics and just did everything I do here at Burnley. I didn’t treat it any differently, I prepared in the same way.

“England are more of a passing team but I thought first and foremost I’ve got to defend well and that’s something that has been drilled into me from the manager here.”

Keane also paid tribute to the work his Clarets teammates, adding: “They are all buzzing, over the moon.

“I’ve just seen a few of them (before training on Tuesday) and they’re absolutely delighted for me. They were all texting me in our group chat.

“I’m sure they are really happy for me but I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for them so I’m thankful to them too.”

While Tom Heaton has won two caps for England off the bench in the past 12 months Keane was the first Claret to play for the Three Lions from the start since Martin Dobson in 1974, making a week to remember for Burnley fans as well as Keane.

“It’s nice to see and I’m thankful for all the support that I’ve had from this club,” he said.

“It’s been brilliant but obviously I’ve got a long way to go. It’s a great achievement but I just need to kick on.

“Everyone who drives past all say ‘congratulations’. They’re really proud. It’s a one-club town so everybody is really proud and I’m glad that I can represent Burnley playing for England. It’s something that has been really special to me.”

Keane’s success with England has once again led to another spate of rumours linking him with a move to many of the Premier League’s top seven this summer, when he will have just a year remaining on his contract at Turf Moor.

But he insists focus remains on helping Burnley clinch survival this season.

“It’s inevitable really, these things happen, but I’ve dealt with it all throughout the season and I won’t let it affect me,” he said.

“I’m fully focused on Burnley. We’ve got some big games coming up and we need to make sure we stay in the Premier League, so it won’t affect me at all.”