Although Viduka has yet to officially announce his international retirement, the odds appear to favour him calling it a day.

That would leave a considerable hole to fill while at the same time opening up an opportunity for fresh Aussie forwards, including Burns.

Not that the Adelaide United youngster is about to start getting carried away by his new-found Socceroo status. He’s far too busy to bask in his own glory...

Burns has enjoyed a meteoric rise over the last 12 months, joining Adelaide from the Australian Institute of Sport, playing a key part in the club’s A-League campaign and then finding himself earning a senior international call up.

The youngster, who is hoping to feature in this weekend’s Pre-Season Cup clash with the Newcastle Jets, earned his first cap when he replaced skipper Viduka in the final moments of the recent 3-0 win over Singapore.

Burns said: “A lot has happened to me in the last year and I still have to pinch myself at times.

“Winning that first cap and replacing Mark Viduka was special, but then so was just spending time in camp, looking at the other lads and realising that’s the benchmark.

“In terms of Mark Viduka, when I came on against Singapore he wished me good luck, to keep it simple and to enjoy myself.

“I think it will be years before Australia can boast another player like that. He is just one of a kind.”

And while Viduka’s retirement would opening striking doors, Burns is not about to think too much about it.

And there is certainly no danger of allowing himself to be seduced by Socceroo ‘stardom’. There is the small matter of club and Olyroo commitments to meet.

Burns, who picked up the Four Four Two Young Player of the Year award for last season, has no time to get carried away with it all. And he wouldn’t want it any other way.

He said: “After the Singapore game I had a five-day break but then it was back here and into training.

"You don’t have time to look back on what you’ve done, you’re too busy looking forward to the next game. I think that’s a good thing to be honest.

“My family and friends have been very supportive, as have my teammates and obviously it helped having a teammate there (Bruce Djite joined Burns in the Socceroos camp ahead of the Asian Cup).

"But as I said, you have to look forward.”

Helping the Olyroos towards Olympic glory is the more immediate goal but Burns is not about to overlook his club duties – starting this weekend.

He said: “You want to have a good pre-season to set you up for that first A-League game.

"That’s what we’re all aiming for and hopefully the boys can have a good workout against the Jets and come away with the right result.”