Martin Paterson: Burnley FC haven’t seen best of me yet!

Striker Martin Paterson feels Burnley fans haven’t seen the best of him yet.
Northern Ireland's Martin Patterson (left) battles with Israel's Tal Ben Haim during the FIFA World Cup Qualifying, Group F match at Windsor Park, Belfast.Northern Ireland's Martin Patterson (left) battles with Israel's Tal Ben Haim during the FIFA World Cup Qualifying, Group F match at Windsor Park, Belfast.
Northern Ireland's Martin Patterson (left) battles with Israel's Tal Ben Haim during the FIFA World Cup Qualifying, Group F match at Windsor Park, Belfast.

The 25-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season after five years with the club, the first of which ended in promotion to the Premier League in a campaign in which the former Scunthorpe United frontman bagged 19 goals

But he feels, if he can agree terms over a new deal, the Clarets will reap the benefits.

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He said: “I’ve still got massive amounts of improvement and football left in me. I’m only 25.”

Paterson insists the best is yet to come from him - and he is hopeful he will fulfil his potential with Burnley.

Injuries plagued the Northern Ireland international, but he has made 36 appearances so far this term for club and country, netting six goals, and he feels he is coming towards his peak.

He said: “I’ve been successful here - I’ve been unlucky here as well, which is a shame.

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“I think I’ve missed a lot of football here. Burnley hasn’t seen the best of me. I’m nowhere near the player I can be. That’s not to say I’m not a good player, but I’ve still got massive amounts of improvement and football left in me. I’m only 25.

“I’ve got years left in the game and I’m hungry to succeed.”

He said while on international duty a fortnight ago that he was “ready to explode” and he explained: “I’m fully fit - I’ve been fully fit pretty much all year now. Next season I’ve got no excuses, I’ve got to deliver.

“I’m not happy with six goals for Burnley, one for Northern Ireland - seven goals in all. It’s not great.

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“I can use the excuse I’ve played out wide a lot but I’m not. I should have scored more goals.

“But I’ve missed a lot of football.

“Even with six league goals I’ve enjoyed every bit of what I’ve played, from missing the amount of football I’ve missed.

“I count that as a blessing.

“But I feel now I’m ready to go and play 40-50 games up front and really explode and do well.

“Whether or not I do it is up to me. I’m hoping to do it.”