Boyd believes Burnley fans can play major role

George Boyd runs at Ryan Bertrand at Southampton in Burnleys last game

Boyd was blown away by the atmosphere at Turf Moor for the last home game - the 1-0 win over champions Manchester City, in which he scored the all-important goal.

And he feels a repeat in the forthcoming televised games, on Sunday against Tottenham Hotspur, and the following week against Spurs’ North London rivals Arsenal, would be a huge lift for the players.

The Clarets are currently one point from safety with eight games remaining, and Boyd looked ahead to a home double header: “They’re massive games, especially with the atmosphere we had against Manchester City.

George Boyd was impressed with the atmosphere the fans created against Man City

“If we can get that again and get the crowd behind us, then we can beat anyone on our day.

“It was amazing against City, I’ve not known anything like that since I’ve been here.

“It really spurred everyone on, and it was a massive part of us winning the game.

“It gives us a great chance and gives everyone a lift so they can definitely be our 12th man.”

It will be the fourth time Burnley have taken on Spurs this season after two FA Cup meetings, and Boyd added: “We proved last week we can beat anyone so we’re looking forward to it.

“We’ve played them a lot so we know the way they play and we look forward to that.”

Burnley are likely to come up against man of the moment Harry Kane, who netted within 79 seconds of coming on for his England debut against Lithuania at Wembley on Friday night.

Kane, who is expected to make his first start for his country in Turin against Italy tonight, has 29 goals for Spurs so far this season, including one against the Clarets in Tottenham’s 2-1 win at White Hart Lane in December.

He is one of the favourites to be named Player of the Year, but Boyd feels Kane’s England Under 21 strike partner Danny Ings - who could be reunited with him at the European U21 Championships in the summer - is capable of achieving similar: “Ingsy has got all the attributes to be one of the best strikers in the country.

“I’m sure Ingsy was disappointed (not to be called up for the full squad) but he will prove what a good player he is.

“There’s a lot of competition up front which is great for England. I’m sure he will be back with the goals soon and he will be fine.”