Symbolic goal shows forward Jay is coming of age

His seventh strike for the club was the first time the Barrowford Celtic product has found the net for the Clarets other than in front of the Jimmy McIlroy Stand.

And it was the first time he has completed 90 minutes for the first team.

His overall performance, and not just his header that put the 10-man Clarets ahead at Millwall midway through the first half, suggested that the boy has become a man.

There is no more intimidating venue, certainly in the Championship, but on a day where Burnley needed cool heads, workrate and no little skill and technique, the 21-year-old epitomised the team’s display in the 1-1 draw.

He has emerged after a frustrating campaign last season, where he was restricted to just two Burnley appearances - both in the Carling Cup - and not helped by a broken ankle, to put together four successive starts, having hammered down the door to the first team with his performance in the goal-less draw at Crystal Palace.

He could have come away with the matchball at Selhurst Park, only to be denied by the brilliance of Julian Speroni and the woodwork, but he has two goals to his name so far this term - both big goals to earn points for the side against Preston and at The Den.

He has long been heralded by his teammates, and managers, and the praise has certainly not been lip-service to encourage a blossoming talent - it is because he is beginning to realise his huge potential.

Having clearly bulked up over the summer, he has added a physicality to the nose for goal we have already witnessed in the promotion season two years ago.

Brian Laws has utilised him in a slightly different role this season, as a wide forward in a front three, but he has adapted well to the task and merits his place in the side at present.

Laws has been thoroughly impressed with what he has seen of the Burnley-born forward in his time at the club, and he said after Saturday’s game: “Jay’s come on leaps and bounds since the summer and he’s slotted into the new role really well.

“He’s been so unlucky not to get more goals.

“He’s hit the bar and post more times than anybody at the club.

“It’s fantastic for him.

“He’s deserved the position and he’s deserved his chance.

“For me he’s got it all, and he’s just improving with each game that goes by.

“We’ve got high hopes for him, and if he continues in that same vein we’ve got a hell of a player on our hands.”