BURKE HARDLY BOTHERED BY ZLATAN AND CO
European titans hold no fear for Hoops star
WHEN you’ve played against the world championselect, scored for your country at Aviva Stadium and bagged a fivegoal haul at club level, there is no reason to feel over-awed at squaring up to AC Milan.
Graham Burke certainly isn’t quaking in his boots ahead of Europa League combat tomorrow in Tallaght against the slumbering European giants.
In contrast, the on-loan Preston striker reckons the expectations levels are that bit higher for the Italian aristocrats, which may increase the prospects of the Hoops landing a Euro haymaker.
‘I don’t think there is too much pressure on us. I think all the pressure is on AC Milan,’ said Burke yesterday as Tallaght Stadium lay bathed in warm sunshine.
‘For us, it’s a game to relish going out to try and beat such a team as AC Milan. If you ask anyone who has the most pressure on them, it’s Milan.
‘If we do win, it’s going to be the biggest upset in Irish football history.’
Burke admitted he did a double-take when he spied AC Milan as one of the potential opponents for Rovers in the Europa League second round.
‘When I saw the three teams that we could get in the draw, I was surprised to see AC Milan’s name in it.
‘I’m more of a Premier League man, I don’t watch much of Serie A, I wouldn’t know where they would have finished but to see them there was such a shock. They expect to be in the Champions League.’
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 38, is the lead violin in the Milan orchestra but he’s not the stand-out performer Burke has witnessed in his career.
‘The game that stands out was on my international debut for Ireland, against France, I could pick five or six players on the pitch that night,’ he recalled.
‘But the one that sticks out is (Kylian) Mbappe, the sharpness of him, you look at that and think, he’s the creme de la creme of football players, it was unbelievable to watch.’
As Rovers prepare for battle tomorrow, the presence of Joey O’Brien will be invaluable.
The veteran defender played against Ibrahimovic when Ireland met Sweden in a friendly in Dublin in 2006 and is enjoying an Indian Summer to his career.
He’s already earned his corn with two goals in the astonishing 12-11 penalty shoot out win over Ilves Tampere in the first qualifying round, and is held in high esteem at Rovers.
‘Joey’s a massive influence in the changing room, from how he speaks to how he goes about his business during the warm-up, everything, to speaking to everyone during the game,’ said Burke.
‘He has so much experience, his international caps, he has played at the highest level.
‘He has played in bigger games than this but it’s a massive game and I am sure a lot of people will be leaning on him for guidance.’
If O’Brien and his fellow Rovers defenders can keep Ibrahimovic on a tight rein, there may be a chance for Burke at the other end. Operating a little behind Aaron Greene, Burke has the ability to ghost into space and take defenders out of their comfort zones.
Stephen Bradley, the Rovers head coach, certainly believes
Burke is capable of inflicting damage against the might of Milan.
‘Graham is the type of player who plays the same way no matter who it is, he doesn’t do jerseys, he doesn’t see the name on jerseys.
‘He’s a real throwback to just playing with no fear. He’s in his stride now. Graham has shown he can score some wonderful goals. He’s done that since he’s been here.
‘When we got him back last year, we felt that this was the year to get him going and I think he’s getting into his stride now. When he’s in his rhythm, he’s a handful.’
Irish manager Stephen Kenny has observed how Burke has been moved about by different managers, but Bradley feels he has the 26-year-old in a position that suits him best.
‘It’s about, do you want to play him in a certain system, do you want to play to his strengths or not? From day one, I’ve always admired Graham and how he plays, how he wants to receive the ball and make things happen.’
“It will be the greatest upset in our history”
“The pressure isn’t on Rovers, it’s on them”