Former Tottenham defender Kieran Trippier urges Burnley star Dwight McNeil to stay put

Burnley winger Dwight McNeil shields the ball from Spurs midfielder Dele Alli at Turf Moor

The England international was speaking from experience. having learned that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side following his departure in the summer of 2015.

The 29-year-old was poached by former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino in a deal worth £3.5m after the Clarets suffered relegation from the Premier League.

The UEFA Champions League runner-up, who was Burnley’s Player of the Year in 2011/12, made just 58 starts for Spurs in the top flight over four campaigns.

Atletico Madrid defender Kieran Trippier in possession against Real Madrid

Trippier, who netted for the Three Lions in the World Cup semi-final defeat at the hands of Croatia, admitted to being frozen out towards the end of his stay in North London, adding that he felt a move away was necessary.

The Atletico Madrid man, who recently helped the Spaniards dump European champions Liverpool out of the competition in the round of 16, understands McNeil will be in huge demand when the season does finally reach its conclusion.

But he says he would encourage the Young Lions star - who is contracted until June 2023 at Turf Moor with the option of a further 12 months - to ignore the clamour and continue his education with Burnley boss Sean Dyche.

“Dwight has burst on to the scene, and when he trained with us last season for England he was brilliant,” said Trippier.

“He’s got to stay focussed, keep performing well while he’s young, and his time will come.

“I’d say ‘don’t rush anything, just keep playing’ and Dwight is at the right club to do that.

“He just needs to keep playing games, because that’s the most important thing for somebody his age.

“He’s got the right manager to guide him and he’ll be in no rush to go anywhere.

“If I was him I’d stay put and keep playing games.”

He added: “Sometimes it can be difficult when you go to another club.

“I’ve experienced it. I went to Tottenham and I didn’t play for months and you get frustrated.

“For somebody like him, who is doing really well, why would you move now? There’s no point.

“Just keep performing well on the biggest stage and stay put.

“I was in a different situation to him, I’d just been relegated so I needed to go to a Premier League club.

“He’s playing well week in week out for a Premier League club.

“He’s a big player for Burnley.

“I’d stay put if I was him and keep enjoying his football.”