Clarets defender Keane more than happy with life at Turf Moor

Clarets defender Michael Keane admits that he was flattered by Leicester City's approaches for his services but quickly refuted claims that he had his head turned by the Premier League champions.
Michael Keane is happy with life at Turf MoorMichael Keane is happy with life at Turf Moor
Michael Keane is happy with life at Turf Moor

The 23-year-old was the subject of several bids from the Foxes over the summer intermission, with the latter believed to be in the region of £12m, but the Burnley board remained intransigent in their stance that the former Manchester United man wasn't for sale.

King Power Stadium boss Claudio Ranieri had been hopeful of adding the one-time England under 21 international to provide competition for Robert Huth, Wes Morgan and Luis Hernandez.

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However, Keane accepts that he's happy at Turf Moor and is determined to help the club retain its status in the top flight.

Michael Keane was disappointed with Saturday's loss to Swansea CityMichael Keane was disappointed with Saturday's loss to Swansea City
Michael Keane was disappointed with Saturday's loss to Swansea City

"It's flattering to see but I'm happy here," he said. "We played well today and it's not been hard for me over the summer at all. I've just got on with it and put it to the back of my mind.

"It's been easy (to ignore); I've just been focusing on football. I came back in and I've just been working hard and focusing on doing my best for Burnley. I'm really happy that the season has started and I just want to kick on from here."

Keane added: "I feel like last time in the Premier League I proved that I was good enough but I was young then and the gaffer opted for some experience in the games which is understandable.

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"I learned a lot in the Championship. It's a brutal league. You come up against tough strikers who are very physical.

Michael Keane gets to grips with Swansea striker Fernando LlorenteMichael Keane gets to grips with Swansea striker Fernando Llorente
Michael Keane gets to grips with Swansea striker Fernando Llorente

"It's a bit different because I feel you get a bit more time on the ball here and we're able to show our qualities on the ball a bit more. I feel it suits my game well and I just want to prove that.

"I'm a lot more experienced now and hopefully I can stay fit and play every game this year. That's the aim. I want to do well and keep this club up."

Sean Dyche's side were defeated on the opening day of the new term as Leroy Fer struck late on to hand Swansea City maximum points.

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Keane, though, believes the Clarets were more than a match for their opponents and proved that they belong in the Premier League.

Referee Jonathan Moss denied the Clarets a penalty after Keane was pulled back in the boxReferee Jonathan Moss denied the Clarets a penalty after Keane was pulled back in the box
Referee Jonathan Moss denied the Clarets a penalty after Keane was pulled back in the box

"It didn't feel like we were out of place at all," he said. "We feel like we belong here in the Premier League and I think we proved that.

"We're good enough to get results because we were the better team today and on another day we would've got three points.

"We definitely deserved a point. The first half was quite even but in the second half I thought we were the better team. They had five minutes of pressure but we dealt with it really well, apart from the goal.

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"It's not a nice feeling losing but you saw the spirit of the team. Even when we went 1-0 down we went close to equalising. There's a long way to go and we've got a lot of belief so hopefully we'll get that win in the next few games."

Michael Keane was disappointed with Saturday's loss to Swansea CityMichael Keane was disappointed with Saturday's loss to Swansea City
Michael Keane was disappointed with Saturday's loss to Swansea City

With the fixture locked at 0-0 in the second half the 23-year-old defender looked certain to convert David Jones's corner at the back post until eventual match winner Leroy Fer intervened with a shirt pull.

And the former England under 21 international is encouraging officials to clamp down on such infringements when denying a goal-scoring opportunity.

"There was quite a lot of action for both sides," he said. "We had good shape and defended well in general. We created quite a few chances ourselves and I nearly scored at the back post.

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"I felt I got a little pull just as I was about to head it in. I didn't think the ref was ever going to give it. We'll learn from today and come back stronger.

"It obviously affected me enough. I literally just had to get my head to it and it was a goal. I felt a pull and I couldn't reach it anymore so I just ended up glancing it.

"I was claiming for a penalty but the ref wasn't going to give it for a little pull like that even though we've been told they're clamping down on that. It didn't happen today.

"If we go 1-0 up we've got a good record of seeing games out but it's one of them things. It didn't go our way today but hopefully it will come at some point."