'Bigger stage': Burnley academy figure makes demand for quarter-final tie against Blackburn Rovers

The Under-18s make the short trip down the M65 tonight to Ewood Park (7pm kick off) for what promises to be a mouthwatering cup tie.

Not only is a spot in the semi-finals at stake, bragging rights are also on the line for these two great East Lancashire rivals.

“We’re very much looking forward to it,” Phillirksik told Burnley’s official channels. “Not just because it’s a quarter final, but it’s also who we’re playing against.

"Obviously there’s the added interest because it’s Blackburn, our biggest rivals, so it’s a super draw for both clubs and for both sets of players.

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"Hopefully the lads can put in a performance they’ve already put in for the three games we’ve had so far in the competition.

"Three of our most convincing performances this season have come in the Youth Cup. Maybe you should expect that to a certain degree, because a lot of the players that have played play regularly in the Under-21s.

"But their attitude and application coming back down to the Under-18s has been outstanding, as has the players who were playing regularly in the Under 18s anyway.

"We just hope on an even bigger stage that the boys can really show, once again, what good players they are and put in a performance that makes themselves, their families and the club proud.

"Playing at Ewood Park, with their families watching, friends and other spectators, away fans, home fans, it’s a fantastic experience for the boys. It makes it even more of a football match, if you understand me.

"Now we’re at this stage of the FA Youth Cup quarter final, if we don’t play great but we win the tie we’ll all be happy.”

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