In 2001, Burns was part of Leeds’ amazing run through Europe that ended in the semis against Valencia at the Nou Camp.

A controversial first goal from Juan Sanchez set the platform for the Spaniards who won 3-0 in the second leg after a 0-0 draw at Elland Road.

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Asensio's Screamer Vs FC Barcelona
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But on the road to that infamous semi-final, Leeds defeated AC Milan and Lazio in the group stages with Aussies Mark Viduka and Harry Kewell key to the success.

In the quarter finals David O’Leary’s men got over Deportivo La Coruna thanks in large part to a stunning 3-0 home first leg, but the dream run finally ended against Valencia.

As a rising star barely 21, Burns’ club career burst into life on one of the biggest stages in the world.

But it’s still a case of what-if for the Glory skipper.

“I’m still very close mates with guys like big Mark Viduka and H [Harry Kewell] and we often kick ourselves about it...” Burns told au.fourfourtwo.com.

“To finally be knocked out by Valencia in the semi final although heart-breaking was such an achievement with such a young team.

“Football is all about taking chances and a bit of luck and I just arrived at Leeds at the right time.

“I was young and a long way down the pecking order in terms of their holding midfielders, but a couple of injuries and it all worked out for me.”

Burns went from the NSL to UEFA Champions League football in the space of a year.

“It was surreal, leaving Parramatta Power to go to an outfit where everything you could wish for was there,” he said.

"We were chartering private jets to Italy and the San Siro, to the Nou Camp and staying in hotels that were the very best money could buy.

“Going into stadiums with heated floors and recaro leather seats on the bench. Those things that you just can only imagine. You’re in awe.”

However in the group stage, a Rivaldo-inspired Barca thumped the English club 4-0. It proved a watershed loss for the club’s European campaign.

“It was a young team and I remember going to Barcelona and being a few goals down in the first 15 minutes and we were all looking at each other thinking we’re out of our depths here.

“Rivaldo was on fire and scored a free kick in the first 15 minutes. We came away from that game thinking, ‘what’s going to happen?’" he said.

“Then we started grinding out results and turning over teams and we had Real Madrid, Lazio, AC Milan in our groups but we just kept getting results.

“The party got bigger and our traveling fans got bigger in number. The Leeds fans are some of the best in the world and we’d have thousands travelling across Europe to see us.

“That’ll stay with me my whole career. As footballers it’s the pinnacle of your league career.”

The 11-times capped Socceroo, now 33, added: “I was blessed to be a part of such a successful young team at Leeds. In a lot of ways, I wish I took it in more.

“When you’re at that age and the position you’re in, only when you’re older do you appreciate the position you were in. You realize these things don’t come around often – if ever – in a player’s career.

“I’ve kept all my jerseys and memorabilia I swapped and they’ll stay with me and I’ll pass them onto my kids.”

But that’s the past for Burns. Last week, after seeing off Melbourne Heart 3-0 last week in the Elimination Final, Glory entertain Wellington Phoenix in another cut-throat A-League final at nib stadium.

The Kiwi franchise were responsible for Burns’ finals heartache in 2010 when they knocked out the WA club in the first week of that season’s finals.

“To be fair, I thought we played well enough to win the game. We arrived early, about three days prior to acclimatise and get on the same time clock," he recalled.

The clash was tied at 1-1 before a penalty shootout ended in Phoenix joy.

Burns added: “A great crowd turned out and I felt we did enough in the 90 minutes. Liam Reddy was on loan at Phoenix and he pulled off some fantastic saves.

“It went into penalties and it’s anyone’s game then. It was a hard way to go out.”