Bobby Burns: I'm ready for Hearts first team after Australia loan

Bobby Burns feels ready to establish himself at Hearts after a season-long loan at the Australian club Newcastle Jets.

The versatile Northern Irishman is due back at Tynecastle Park this summer and will enter the final year of his contract eager to cement a first-team place.

He told the Evening News he is now a better player after 15 appearances in the Hyundai A-League, with six games of the Jets’ campaign remaining.

Those will now take place behind closed doors due to the Coronavirus, the final fixture currently scheduled for April 24.

Burns could then fly back to Scotland and train with Hearts to show manager Daniel Stendel his capabilities, however he would be unable to play until the summer transfer window opens.

His target is a place in Stendel’s side for next season. "People over here are asking me all the time. I think the Jets would like me to stay but I would rather come back to Hearts, give it a good crack and try to play at the highest level I can,” he said.

"I've loved it here and the standard is great. From an exposure point of view, getting into the Hearts team would be fantastic. My overall goal is to make the Northern Ireland senior team so I want to be playing at the highest level I can.

"I would love to make it at Hearts. Last summer I felt I could challenge, but now I probably feel I wasn't quite ready. Now I think I'm better equipped. Playing games has given me that fitness and winning mentality back. I've developed parts of my game that weren't as strong before.

"I've learned more sports science and I've improved my pace, crossing, and being calm on the ball. Winning games has helped and I've played different positions, so I definitely feel now that I can go back to Hearts and give it a good crack.

"It's hard to know how well I can do but I feel I'm in a good position to go back in the summer. I'll definitely be a lot fitter, which will give me a good start for pre-season. Although who knows when the season will start. I could be off for six months by then.”

The Scottish football authorities have yet to decide when or if season 2019/20 will finish after suspending it indefinitely due to the virus. Hearts are currently bottom of the Premiership and will take legal action if the campaign is cut short and they are relegated prematurely.

"I really hope Hearts stay up,” said Burns. “They are within touching distance but there's nothing I can do about that. I just need to focus on finishing strongly here.

“I feel the Australian league is the same standard as the Scottish Premiership, apart from Celtic and Rangers. I've got stronger and fitter and learned how to use my body, so I feel I could go back to Hearts and make a good impact. That's my main goal.”