Burns's Greek Revival

To see Nathan in Corfu...

Next Saturday's home game at Corfu's Stadio Ethniki  - which au.fourfourtwo.com will attend to capture all  the colour and excitement - could seal promotion if the former Adelaide striker's team can pick up another three points.

Corfu sit second and are in line for one of the two automatic promotion spots.

If the club is promoted, it will cap a spectacular season for Burns, 22, who was loaned out to the island club after his first season at Greek giant AEK saw him play a peripheral role.

We caught up with Burns in Corfu before the Dramas game to gauge his thoughts on his career in Greece and a move to Corfu he calls a risk.

Nathan, tell us about this season you've had here in Corfu...

I took a bit of a risk, you know. I spoke to my AEK coach [Dusan Bajevic] and he signed a couple of players in my position so I went to him and said, 'Look, am I gonna get much game time?' And he goes, 'At this  stage it might be unlikely'. So I took the risk and came to a team that I didn't know much about but I had to play.

My Greek manager who helps with Bernie [Mandic, Burns's Australian manager] has a connection here. I could play in most teams in the second division but it was all about which team would be pushing for promotion and best suited for me. So we chose this one... I took the risk, came here and wasn't sure what to expect. As it's happened, I've played every game, scored eight goals and we're pushing for promotion - which probably wasn't expected at the start of the season.

We haven't had much vision of the Beta Ethniki, talk us through your goals ...

It's been a mix. I scored two goals from outside the box - one left, one right. Two one-on-ones past the goalkeeper, and two headers - believe it or not! Heading is something I've worked on since I've been in Europe - and a couple of back-post tap-ins.

What do you want to do next season? 

I want to go back to AEK - it's the big stage. My plan is to go back to AEK next year. I still have two more years on my contract which I want to honour. I have a contract and I'm coming back but if they say they don't want me then I have to leave and find another place. I'm not gonna stay there just because I have a contract. I'm only going to stay there if I'm going to play. If they say my chances are not good, I will not stay.

What if Corfu won promotion, would you stay?

That's also an option. Obviously playing in the Super League next year would be good for my resume but if I could play  for AEK I'd choose it over Corfu because it's the big stage. I've got options, that's the main thing.

As a player, have you developed much since arriving here?

Definitely. Last year I didn't play for 12 months, only training. It was difficult. It's not easy being on the bench every game. You lose a lot of fitness. I think this year I'm more physical. I can run out 90 minutes games. I feel physically good and when I'm physically good that's when I'm playing my best. I'm fit, strong, strong in the legs so that's the main thing I've taken out of this year. I've played a whole 30 games so far plus there are Cup games and maybe play-offs. You don't get that in Australia.

So how would you compare the Greek first and second division?

Here the second division is physical and perhaps less technical than the Super League. Here you must fight. And it kind of makes it develop that part of your game. I was never a massive fighter but since I've come here [to Corfu] I've had to improve on that to survive in this league. You could say these games in the second division are faster. It's a lot more direct and the ball seems to travel across the ground a lot quicker.  It's similar to the difference between, say, the English Premier League and Championship. At AEK we had the space, we had the possession. We could dominate teams whereas here, you don't know. We lost to the last place side at home, you never know what can happen.

Just going back to AEK, what do you remember about your debut?

I can't remember who it was against but every time I'd come on for AEK I was very excited. It was the big stage and with many fans - maybe 30,000. It was great. I thought I'd done good every time I'd come on. I just tried to make an impact and just waited for the opportunity to make a start. It just never came but off the bench I seemed to do well. But I wasn't happy just coming on, I wanted to start and score and be the best player out there. Just coming on for my debut was just a start. But it was a great moment.

Now you've done it, what is your advice to young players thinking about going overseas?

For me, I had Aurelio Vidmar who played many years in Europe. You've got to speak to the older boys in Europe. They know what happens in Europe.  The best thing is to listen to your Craig Moores and Muscats and others too. I remember Vidmar used to be always on my back all the time about my passing. I wasn't complete and he could see weaknesses in my game. And I didn't understand why he was always on my back and I'd complain to Bruce Djite, 'Viddy's on my back, why?' It's because he understands and he's trying to help me.

And when I came to Europe I realised Viddy was right. I worked on my passing and all this because you don't really notice. You don't really need these in Australia. You can kinda get away with some of your weaknesses but here in Europe they kind of notice your weaknesses and kill them. They exploit them. So listen to your senior players and work on your game because Europe is completely different to the Australian league. In Australia everyone likes to help out whereas in Europe you're on your own, so take the advice.

And good luck! You'll need it.

So what is your take on your own move to AEK?

AEK was a good level. It wasn't unreachable but still a challenge. And I wouldn't change it if I had my time again because I think I could've played there. I was just unlucky how everything went. The coach got fired after two months then the president also got fired. It kinda put me back to square one because when you join the coach says, 'I have this plan for you' and it sounds wonderful. Then the coach is gone. Normally you have the president to back you because he signed you too.  Rarely does that happen but in my case the president was out too.

So I had to start from scratch. Dusan never heard of me so he's thinking, 'I've got this player I've never seen so I'll have to see how he goes.' He started with the players he knew, which is normal. So I had to work another two months to convince him I could play. Then finally Dusan played me in six or seven appearances and it was good but it delayed my performances. So I had to prove myself over and over rather than same coach, same president giving me confidence...

And that's important?

Confidence is everything in football. If a coach backs you, you can go so far. If a coach doesn't like you, you can't do anything right. Football is all about coaches' opinions.

Speaking of coaches, it sounds like Viddy was spot on with his approach to you. Agree?

Of course, 100 percent. Now I know exactly what he was on about. At the time I thought he was just on my back. But he was doing his job. He's been to Europe and he does know football. He was a striker, which was perfect for me. He was fantastic.

You ever seen him play?

I've seen highlights. He wasn't a very physical player but he knew how to score goals. He did teach me a lot.

Tell us about life in Corfu?
Obviously the Greek islands are known for their beautiful scenery, lifestyle. So I could pick a lot worse places to be. Here the lifestyle is nice and relaxing. It's not a big city, maybe 130,000 population here so it's perfect for football.

How does it compare to your home town in country NSW?

Blayney's the greatest place in Australia, you know that. Corfu, they're very different in a sense of the culture. I am looking forward to going home actually. I haven't been home in over a year so I can't wait for the season to finish with three more games to go. Hopefully we get the points needed then go back to Blayney and have a nice relaxing holiday and see family and friends.

What do you miss most about back home?

Family and friends and the Aussie mentality - you can never beat that. We all get along in Australia, everyone looks out for each other and you love that mentality about Aussies. There's nowhere like that anywhere in the world. We have a unique culture and you definitely miss it. So of course I'm proud that I come from Australia. I grew up there and I'm Australian through and through - especially coming from the country. Playing soccer in the country is not a common thing. So to come from Blayney, I'm very proud.  

*Check out au.fourfourtwo.com later this week for part two of our chat with Burns when he speaks about his plans to get back into contention for a spot in the Socceroo 2014 World Cup campaign.

To see Nathan in Corfu...