As Wellington Phoenix prepare for Sunday’s do-or-die Elimination Final, fans may be running out of chances to see newly crowned Phoenix player of the year Nathan Burns in the Hyundai A-League.
The Socceroo striker cleaned up at the club’s annual awards dinner on Tuesday, including winning gongs for Golden Boot, Players’ Player of the Year and overall Player of the Year.
But he remained tight-lipped on his future plans with his blistering form attracting high interest from cashed-up Asian clubs.
“I can’t really say anything in football,” said Burns, who is one year into a two-year deal in Wellington.
“You’ve got the whole off-season to talk about stuff like that, but for now I’ll just focus on the finals.
“You never know what can happen.
“That’s the great thing about this game – you could be fired or upgraded to a new team. We’ll have to wait and see.”
Burns has scored 13 goals in Season 10 of the Hyundai A-League – second only to Sydney FC marquee Marc Janko in the Golden Boot race – earning him a Socceroos recall for the recent Asian Cup and the recent friendly against world champions Germany.
And Burns paid credit to Phoenix coach Ernie Merrick for his goal-rush.
“He had a massive involvement in my goals this year – how I played a lot higher.
“It’s a different aspect to my game that I probably haven’t really achieved before.
“I really wanted to score a lot of goals this year and he’s played a main part in that.”
Burns added optimism is high in the Phoenix camp ahead of their Finals Series clash with City on Sunday, despite just one win in their last five matches.
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“We’re confident. Very confident. It’s finals football – it’s the best time of the season.
“We’ve got the quality. We’ve shown all year that we’re a good team. We just need to enjoy the moment.”
But whatever happens in the future, the Socceroo striker believes the rise of the Phoenix will continue, with or without him.
“It’s a unique club. It’s very passionate. It’s one of the things you Kiwis really strive for in your sport – being so successful.
“As long as the Wellington Phoenix have that – and I think they will forever – then they’ll be successful.”
