O’Neill planning second surprise

“The passion for their team in just incredible. The football was different especially at home because the pitch was in a bad state. More dirt than grass. Hard work - and a lot of time without the ball defending.

“The boys were great with me - never had an issue with me coming in and basically pushing my way into the starting team.”

O’Neill was pleased the Latics avoided relegation.

“I was really happy that we got out of trouble,” he said.

“When I got there we were second last I think but there was a new gaffer and he changed the whole attitude. We became really hard to score against. Connor Ripley made heaps of amazing saves and the captain Peter Clarke was an absolute rock in defence.

“He played every minute of every game at 35-years-old. I learnt so much about the graft of lower league football.”

O’Neill returned to Australia in the off-season to visit family and friends. But the midfielder wants to hit the ground running next season and continue his impressive development, whether in Burnley’s first-team or with another loan move.

“I want to come back stronger and fitter than I did last season and after that - you never know,” he said.

“Might surprise everyone again. I would love to be playing for the first0team but we have some great midfielders there currently and the gaffer will probably want to strengthen again in the summer transfer window.

“So maybe a loan deal would be good - obviously I want to play week in and week out. Whether that is with Burnley or somewhere else will be up to the Gaffer but I think if I come back better than I did this season you never know. “