PIETERS AND GLEE

Burnley’s Dutch defender Erik will be celebrating the arrival of his first child with TV celebrity wife.. but staying up with Burnley? ”That’s nothing to cheer about, we always wanted more than just survival”

BY IAN MURTAGH

APRIL promises to be a special month in the life of Burnley defender Erik Pieters, whose celebrity wife is expecting their first child in the coming weeks.

And with the Clarets already seven points above the drop zone, a win at Southampton tomorrow will virtually ensure that the Dutchman can savour fatherhood without the pressures of a survival fight.

But while he is counting down the days until Nermina, the former Real Housewives of Cheshire star, gives birth, the 32-year-old insists it will not be a double celebration.

Football-wise, he asks, why should avoiding relegation be something to celebrate when he knew all along that Burnley would secure Premier League status with something to spare?

“We will definitely stay up,” he said. “That has never been in doubt. I always put my trust in the team to perform and stay in this League.”

Pieters is adamant that even at the end of October, when Sean Dyche’s team fell to a defeat by Chelsea that left them with just one point from their opening six games, he was not particularly worried.

“It was a difficult start but we just knew we could turn it around,” said Pieters. “That is how we are.

“But I don’t see survival this season as this squad’s greatest achievements, not really.

“The biggest achievement has been playing the way we have during lockdown and the difficult parts of the season.”

Pieters, who has recently signed a one-year contract which keeps him at Turf Moor until the end of next term, knows that while his professional life is stable, off the pitch it is going to be very different. And he is bracing himself for some disruption.

“How will my life change?

No sleep,” he said with genuine dread.

“So I will be volunteering for double ses

‘Biggest achievement is playing the way we have during the period in lockdown’

REALITY PLAY Erik Pieters with his wife and Real Housewives of Cheshire star Nermina sions on the training ground. And investigation in the wake of sickening maybe I will have to ask the gaffer comments online after last if we can have overnight stays in a month’s 1-1 draw at Arsenal when hotel for home games as well as Pieters (celebrating a Burnley goal, away games so I can have a good below) looked to have handled the night’s sleep.” ball in the area, only for VAR to What would the missus say if she overturn the penalty decision. heard him talking like that? Days later, the player was “Ah, she knows,” laughed the fullback. shocked to discover on his “It’s OK.” Instagram feed someone posted The couple may comments wishing harm on his be two individuals wife and unborn child. in the public eye The account was disabled but but they are a Pieters could have strong team, been forgiven for evidenced by coming off social their response media entirely. to recent social-media That will not be happening, with abuse directed both Pieters and his their way. wife refusing to let Burnley the trolls win the argument. launched an “The hard part was it was directed at my wife and unborn child,” said the Dutchman of the abuse. “I ask why would someone do that?

“But she was born in Bosnia and had to leave the country because of the war so, compared to words on social media, it is quite easy for her to move on.

“It is something which shouldn’t be there but we were able to get on with our lives.

“Some people may struggle with this kind of thing but at the same time you do not want to give trolls too much attention because that is what they want.

“I just moved it aside because I have way more important things in my life.”