Fabio Celestini keen to give birthday gift to Burnley fans

Fabio Celestini wants to give a birthday gift to Burnley fans in his first game in charge today.

The Swiss coach takes control of the Clarets for the first time this afternoon, as they take on Portsmouth at Turf Moor.

The occasion coincides with Celestini’s 51st birthday.

While the former Basel and CSKA Moscow coach, who replaces Nicky Hayen in the dugout, has only been in the job for a few days, he’s already well aware of Burnley’s home woes.

The Clarets haven’t won a league game on home turf in over a year and that’s something the new man wants to put right straight away.

“It's many, many times we don't win at home, it's a tough time,” he told the club’s official website. “I think the fans want to see something on the pitch, not just words of me.

“What they want to see is something Saturday and what I came to say is, I come here with big energy, positive energy. I try to give absolutely my best with my staff, with everything to try to win my first game Saturday.

“It's my birthday Saturday and it was a perfect gift, not for me, but for all the fans. Because I think one year, or the near of one year, you don't see your team winning. It must be very hard.

“What I can say only is, we do all what we can to try to give this victory and this gift this week.

“But I think you want to see, not some words, but some action on the field. But there's so many words in the last time and I try to do my best to see this action Saturday.”