Liam Burt targeting European football with Bohemians ahead of FAI Cup final

Liam Burt endured rather than enjoyed his ringside seat when Anthony Stokes inspired Hibernian to their historic 2016 Scottish Cup final win over Rangers.

The two-goal Dubliner – then on loan from Celtic – tormented and teased The Gers on that sunny afternoon as Hibs ended their 114 year wait for a third win in the competition and ‘Sunshine on Leith’ lifted the roof off Hampden Park at full time.

Then 17 year old Burt watched on from the blue benches that day just as he had a few weeks previously when that season’s Scottish Championship title winners eased past The Hoops 5-4 on penalties in the semi-final at the same venue.

This Sunday at The Aviva, however, Burt will be very much centre stage for Bohemians when they seek to lift the FAI Cup for the first time since their 2008 double when they face St Patrick’s Athletic.

Signed by Keith Long on his 22nd birthday on February 1 last, the east end Glaswegian spent his primary schooldays with his beloved Celtic before seven years at Ibrox prior to his return to The Hoops in 2019.

While he never played for the Celtic first team, the winger remains just one of six players registered by both Scottish giants at senior level.

So dealing with the pressure of this weekend’s hugely anticipated Dublin derby Blue Riband showpiece will hardly cost Burt a second thought.

“It was a bit mad to be perfectly honest,” smiles Burt when he recalls his decision to accept Celtic head of youth Chris McCart’s invitation to rejoin the club whose Parkhead ground stands little over 10 minutes from where he grew up.

“I knew that I would get a bit of stick but that’s what happens when you’re living in Glasgow.

“Obviously at youth level I played more for Rangers against Celtic , there were a couple of cup finals.

“I’d always give it my all and while at Celtic I think that I only played Rangers once which was at the Rangers’ training centre when we drew 1-1.

“We were down to ten men and it was quite weird seeing everyone as well, probably disliking me at the time but afterwards they were all fine.

“I was involved on the bench in the semi-final against Celtic in the 2016 Scottish Cup.

“Then I was on the bench in the final against Hibs when all the supporters ran on to the pitch at the end which was a bit scary!

“I’ve been involved in big games so this Sunday is something to look forward to as a footballer. It’s the standard you want to be involved at.”

Bohs’ first appearance in the domestic game’s biggest occasion since 2008 has generated massive interest amongst their fans – both diehard and passing – with an estimated 17,000 of the 30,000 tickets sold to date claimed by those of a red and black persuasion.

For manager Long , his staff and club officials their trip to Dublin 4 represents another impressive season that included an impressive three tie Europa Conference League run while it also reflects huge progress for the club that was on its financial knees almost a decade ago.

With The Gypsies operating off a much lower budget than most of their Premier Division peers, Long was also forced to reconstruct the attacking sector of his midfield and strike force last winter with Georgie Kelly, Burt and Ali Coote joining Ross Tierney and Promise Omochere.

His recruitment proved successful with Kelly topping the securing charts with 21 league goals and versatile Scottish wingers Burt and Coote adding pace, skill and a decent goal return since last March.

With a return ticket to the Europa Conference League next summer dependent on claiming victory against The Saints, there’s much riding on the match as Burt readily accepts.

“Yes, Europe’s important for the club. We want to win something as a team.

“At the end of the season people will be going and people will be coming in.

“It’s one last game for the team and it’s something to grasp.

“Obviously the supporters wil be wanting to have the experience of Europe that they had this year. It’s important to give them something to look forward to.

“Every player wants to play at the highest level possible. So, definitely, if you’re involved in Europe then supporters, staff , players and peopleat at the club are looking to sign and have something to look to as well.”

Having left Celtic 17 months ago, Burt looked upon his move to Dalymount Park as an opportunity to play weekly football given that he only clocked up three games for Rangers and 29 in total on loan with Dumbarton and Alloa Athletic between 2017 and 2019.

“It was at a stage in my career when I was not quite sure what was happening in my career at Celtic with Covid. I was on trial with a couple of teams back home.

“Covid stopped a couple of trial games which meant I couldn’t show what I could do.

“Keith gave me a phone call, asking what my plans were.

“I had a chat with my mum and dad and it was a clean slate. I kind of had a reputation back home of being ‘Rangers and Celtic’ and people naming me as the next big thing.

“So coming over gives me a clean slate and this has been my first full season starting games consecutively. I’ve benefitted from it a lot.

“This is my first season away from friends and family . I came over in February during the Covid lockdown and the next time I saw my family was at the end of May.

“It was quite hard coming over here and staying in a house with Georgie, Stephen Mallon and Ali. I had to learn to cook and clean so it’s a new experience!

“I’m cooking for four people . We have your own cooking night so we all have a turn. It’s been going from one extreme to another, cooking for one to cooking for four.

“Nobody’s been poisoned yet!

“I’ve benefitted not only as a player but also as a person and in life.”

With Bohs triggering an option in his contract for him to stay with them next season, Burt is loving life in Dublin.

During Bohs’ long hot summer of European nights at The Aviva, Burt and his colleagues lit up the national stadium against Stjarnan, Dudelange and PAOK to whet the appetite for Sunday’s return mission.

“As a footballer you dream as a kid to play in front of thousands of fans in cup finals and to have European nights .

“Not many actually do it so to be able to have this chance is special.

“Some people will call it an advantage to have been there in the summer but on the day it will go out the window as it’s a cup final.

“You’re not thinking about past games, you’re thinking about Sunday.”

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