IN GLOVE WITH PETER

Clarets striker Barnes admits United keeper was his hero

ASHLEY BARNES aims to score against Manchester United again tomorrow after revealing he dreamt of being Peter Schmeichel as a kid.

The Burnley striker grew up in Somerset supporting the Reds and Schmeichel was his hero because he played as a goalkeeper until his mid-teens.

Barnes, 28, admitted: “I supported Manchester United as a kid.

“It was kids being kids in school and most kids in the West Country back then were United fans.

“I was a goalkeeper then, so it was Peter Schmeichel who was my hero, because he was such a good goalkeeper.

“Back then I thought I was going to be a goalkeeper, although you don’t ever know what position you’ll end up playing in.

“But I was decent in goal and I’ve got enough trophies in the cabinet!” Barnes lost the No.1 spot when he moved to a different age group and was switched up front at the age of 16 when he joined non-league Paulton Rovers near Bristol.

“It wasn’t until I got to Paulton Rovers and Andrew Jones, my old football manager there, stuck me up front that I became a striker,” Barnes added. “And it’s paid off ever since.

“I put the goalkeeping gloves in the bin and tried to find some goalscoring boots, although I still haven’t found them!” Although Barnes only has four goals this season, he likes to score on the big stage and netted in Burnley’s draw at Old Trafford on Boxing Day (below) and at the Etihad this month.

Barnes was hailed for his Old Trafford display and said his goal gives him confidence going into tomorrow’s Turf Moor clash.

“Of course, that will give you confidence,” he said. “Whoever you score against, that will give you confidence.

“For this season, the performance I put in has been my highlight so far. For me, holding the ball up is as good as scoring a goal, being able to bring people into play. As long as I can do that, I’m happy.

“That game has gone now, though. It’s all about Saturday and how we perform against United on the day.”