O’Neill made his first-team debut for Burnley, at the age of just 18, against Liverpool in August. He went on to make appearances against Chelsea and Southampton in the Premier League, and against Sunderland in the FA Cup and Accrington Stanley in the EFL Cup.

O’Neill then joined League One outfit Oldham Athletic in February, playing 15 games to help them avoid the drop.

The 18-year old told FourFourTwo he “loved every minute” of the 2016/2017 season.

“It was great experience making my debut in the Premier League, but when Burnley picked up some midfielders in the January transfer window I got the opportunity to play regular first-team football with Oldham,” he said.


“I guess it was a massive campaign for me – I made 20 league appearances. I certainly didn't expect it at the beginning of the season. Then I got asked to go to Spain to train with the U23 Australian team, which was a great experience too.”

O’Neill described his experience with Oldham as amazing, adding: “The football is totally different from what I was used to.

“My job when I came in was to help them survive in League One and they did. I hope I played my part in that. The fans were brilliant - most away games they didn't stop singing and cheering for the team.

“My first game at Chesterfield I put the cross in that Peter Clarke scored from. The fans were running on the pitch, slapping us on the back, hugging us. Then at the other end the Chesterfield fans were abusing us - it was fantastic.