Let’s grab title!

Vincent keen to finish job

By Chris Dunlavy

Burnley boss Vincent Kompany has urged his players to finish the job and clinch the Championship title after securing promotion with seven games to spare.

Friday’s 2-1 victory over Middlesbrough at the Riverside saw the Clarets bounce back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

But Kompany – who won ten major trophies as a player at Manchester City – says silverware would make that achievement all the sweeter.

PARTY TIME: Jubilant Burnley celebrate promotion to the Premier League and, below, Connor Roberts, left, enjoys his promotion-clincher with Nathan Tella

PICTURE: Alamy

“I’m so happy for the players,” said the Belgian, whose side are 11 points clear of second-placed Sheffield United with seven games remaining.

“Next year Burnley will be in the Premier League and Turf Moor will host the best teams in the world. Nobody can take that away. Nobody can stop us. It’s a milestone moment for the club and it’s a very special feeling.

ECSTATIC: Vincent Kompany, left, and Jack Cork

“We made memories today, memories that will last forever. But I have to say that the best moment for me would be if we had the trophy – and that’s not the case yet.

“They have to have silverware, they have to have something in their hands at the end of the season to reward what they’ve done. That is the target now.”

Sheffield United visit Turf Moor tomorrow on Kompany’s 37th birthday, with the Clarets seeking not just a decisive victory in the title race but revenge for a 5-2 hiding at Bramall Lane in November.

“They don’t need to do anything for my birthday,” he said. “I just want the atmosphere to be electric. I’d love that.

SALUTE: Ashley Barnes

JOY: Josh Brownhill

“You know, there’s so much in this game for us. It’s not just that we’re playing against the second-best team in the league. It’s a game we have to approach with a sentiment of revenge.

“Having played Sheffield United over there, we know how strong they are. It’s a very good team and we’ll need the fans to be our extra man. That’s the only thing I ask for.”

Meanwhile, Burnley can start planning for life in the Premier League, and Kompany is confident the Clarets will be ready.

“We will, but we don’t have to be ready now,” he added. “We’re in April still. We have another three months to make sure every- thing is right. We want to have a good time in the Premier League and we want to compete. We don’t have to fear that. We have to embrace it. Once the sea- son is finished, that work starts.”