Josh Cullen thankful for Burnley fans’ support after making emotional return

Josh Cullen thanked Burnley fans for the heartfelt reception he received on his return from a 10-month lay-off.

The 30-year-old received a standing ovation as he took to the pitch during Burnley’s 0-0 draw with Portsmouth on Saturday.

It was the first time he’d been back in a Clarets shirt since suffering a devastating ACL injury against Everton back in December 2025.

It’s been a long and painful road back for Cullen, who immediately took the captain’s armband from Kyle Walker as he took to the pitch.

“Delighted to get back out there at Turf Moor,” he told the club’s official YouTube channel.

“It's been a long 10 months and to get back out there and be back doing what I love, it was an amazing feeling and I just want to build on that now.

“The fans have been brilliant with me since I arrived at the club, to be fair. To still feel that sort of support while I've been injured has been fantastic as well.

“It was nice to get a good reception today and hopefully we can start building now.”

The only sour note was that Cullen’s return, which coincided with Fabio Celestini’s first game in charge, didn’t come with three points.

The midfielder, however, was encouraged by what was an improved showing.

He added: “I think it was a positive performance, especially first half from the lads. Hopefully we can start giving the fans something more to cheer about soon.

“You know you have to score when you're on top. Football matches go in phases and when you're so dominant in the first half, you know they're going to try and change something at half-time.

“I think we've had over 20 shots, so we're getting in the right areas. We just need to make sure we're a bit more clinical, and I'm sure that will come under the new manager.”

As for Celestini, Cullen has nothing but good things to say about the Swiss boss, who only had two sessions with the players ahead of Saturday’s game.

“I think they've been brilliant,” he said. “They've brought a real energy to the club first and foremost.

“I think the way they've come in, they've shown the approach that they've taken to the group has been great.

“It's 48 hours, so we know we need to get back on the training pitch and keep working and keep drilling the ideas that the manager wants.

“We're going to improve, and there's a long way to go this season. We've still got lots and lots to play for, lots of points. We need to be positive and look to the future.”