MATURING midfielder Chris McCann has revealed this is his most important season yet.

Boy has become man since the Dubliner made his Burnley debut in the 4-0 win at home to Coventry City just over three years ago.

And although he admits turning 21 in the summer has not changed his mindset in terms of his approach to football, on the eve of making his 100th Championship appearance for the Clarets, at home to Plymouth Argyle, McCann admitted: “It’s time for me to start being a man.”

He continued: “It’s gone very quickly since my debut, but it’s been a very enjoyable three years.

“I think I’ve matured more as a player and a person since I’ve been around players like Alan Mahon, David Unsworth and Ade Akinbiyi, who have all been a great help in bringing me on.

“But it’s great to have such a young squad now. There’s a big responsibility on myself in midfield, but I enjoy that.

“It’s going to be a big season for me and hopefully I’ll get more games under my belt and keep progressing the way I have.

“Arguably it’s my biggest season. People can’t go on about me being young anymore, it’s time for me to step up to the plate, start being a man and taking hold of games and driving the team on.”

McCann hopes he has already laid the foundations for a productive campaign by scoring his first goal in 3-0 Carling Cup second round win over Oldham Athletic in midweek.

And he believes the 4-1-4-1 formation used at Crystal Palace last weekend and at home to the League One Latics is suited to his and recent midfield partner Kevin McDonald’s style of play.

“With Grezza (Graham Alexander) just sitting there you’ve no worries about who’s behind you because he can just push and pull us as he needs to,” he said.

“It gives us a lot more freedom to get forward and try to get into the box and get on the end of things.

“I was delighted to get on the scoresheet against Oldham, to get up and running. Hopefully I can get a few more.

“I could have had more so far this season, I was a bit wasteful in front of goal the other night, but I like getting into the box, trying to get on the end of things, and it’s something the manager keeps telling me to do, to keep driving forward and supporting the front players.

“I really like that position and I think the formation is starting to suit the likes of me and Kevin in terms of getting into the box, and it gives Wade Elliott and Chris Eagles an opportunity to get forward as well because you have that safety with Grezza (Graham Alexander) being there.

“It’s a good formation to play in.”

And he is confident it is one which will lead to more goals from all areas of the pitch.

“I don’t think many people will live with Wade and Chris Eagles driving forward and then having me and Kevin getting into the box and providing a threat with two big lads getting in as well,” he said.

“We can’t just rely on Pato to be scoring the goals, other people have got to chip in and give him a hand as well.

“I was a bit disappointed with the goal being ruled out (at Crystal Palace) on Saturday - I still don’t know what that was for - but I was just delighted to get on the scoresheet the other night and get the season underway for me with a goal.

"And hopefully I can get a few more, starting tomorrow.”