"I used to butt heads all the time with him when we were playing" - but former Burnley boss Adrian Heath hails the 'incredible' job Sean Dyche has done at Turf Moor

But he is thrilled to see his old club set for a fifth-successive season in the Premier League, and hailed the 'incredible' job his old rival has done at Turf Moor.

Back when Dyche was a centre back at Chesterfield, and he was a forward with Burnley, Heath had a few tussles, and the pair weren't on each other's Christmas card list, it's fair to say.

Heath smiled: "I used to butt heads all the time with Sean Dyche when we were playing, me and him used to have it off all the time.

"I know he didn't like me, and I didn't particularly like him when we played against each other.

"But I will say this, what he's done is nothing short of incredible."

Asked whether he was kicked up in the air a few times by Dyche, Heath added: "Just a little bit! I remember when he was at Chesterfield, and maybe a touch at Watford, we used to have it off with Chesterfield, he pretty much played as he manages - there wasn't much given!

"I was very much the same, I always had something to say, and he did, so we had a few moments.

"I've not seen much of him since, but what he's done and achieved at the club, I don't think people should take it for granted."

The Everton great believes Dyche should have been named Manager of the Year by his peers during his Turf Moor reign, for what he has achieved, particularly given his budget compared to the rest of the Premier League: "I don't think he's had anywhere near the plaudits, the recognition, the pats on the back, that he deserves.

"The fact he hasn't won manager of the year is beyond me.

"Doing what he has done in our day would have been incredible enough, but to do it in a league where money is so important and can shape your club, I think what he's done is unbelievable.

"Not only doing it the way they have, but I love the fact he's gone 'this is the way we play, 4-4-2' they'll take their lumps occasionally on the way, which you have to, when you get beat by the big boys, but they stick to their guns, do what they're good at and make life extremely difficult for every side they play."

Heath's daughter, Megan, is the wife of Ipswich Town forward Will Keane - twin brother of former Claret Michael.

The former and current Evertonian often chat about Dyche and Burnley, and Heath said: "Michael's twin brother Will is married to my daughter, so I know him really well.

"I speak to him all the time and he's got nothing but good things to say about Sean Dyche, his coaching, and what he's done for the club.

"Sean has come from an era where he's been at clubs where they've had to work on shape, defensive structure, trying to improve players, because you're not going to buy the best players, because you haven't got the money.

"I've got nothing but incredible respect for what he's achieved there.

"It's only when he leaves eventually that people will maybe recognise what he's actually done."