Burnley boss Scott Parker insists there was no need for Maxime Esteve to issue a public apology following last week’s heavy defeat to Manchester City.

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The Frenchman endured an afternoon to forget as he netted two own goals during last Saturday’s 5-1 defeat at the Etihad.

After the game, the 23-year-old issued an apology on his Instagram page, describing it as the “worst match” of his life.

Parker, however, said such an apology was not at all necessary.

"He certainly didn't need to do that,” he said.

"I don't think any of us...and when I talk about any of us, I talk about us, all of us. I talk about fans, I talk about yourselves [the media], people who are around us, teammates, myself, Maxi doesn't need to apologise, there's nothing to apologise for.

"At certain times, you make mistakes, but I wouldn't even put them down as mistakes.

Maxime Esteve conceded two own goals during last week's heavy defeat to Man City. Photo: Kelvin Lister-Stuttard

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"This is just...you can see the ball hit someone’s shin, it’s the fine margins. Sometimes it goes in, on another day it slides past the post and we're not talking about it.

"He's been nothing short of incredible since the day I walked in here. He's a vital part for us.

“If that [the apology] is something that gives Maxi some comfort to do that, then I understand it. Certainly in this modern day and the age we're in with social media, people sometimes sharing their expressions, and that's fine by me, but he doesn't need to do that.”

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