BOBBY Burns is unsure what the future holds beyond the next seven games - but the popular Northern Ireland defender has not ruled out a return to the Jets.
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Burns, after a slow start to his loan deal from Scottish Premier League club Hearts, has been a revelation in the second half of the Jets' campaign.
The 20-year-old provided an assist for Roy O'Donovan's match-winner against Perth and has added a new dimension to the attack with his crosses from the left.
"It would be great to make the play-offs, but if we don't the season would finish on April 24 and I would potentially go back to Hearts for a couple of weeks of training," Burns said.
"My objective is to go back to Hearts and get in the team. The aim of the loan was to show what I can do and then go back and play for Hearts."
Hearts have undergone a similar overhaul to the Jets this season. Initial manager Craig Levien was sacked in December. His assistant Austin MacPhee took over in a caretaker role before German Daniel Stendel was given the gig full-time.
"Everything has changed from when I left," Burns said. "I don't know the new manager at all.
"Hearts are also in a relegation battle and that might have implications on what players leave and who stays. They might not want many young players, or they might want more. There are so many things up in the air.
"All I am thinking about is the next seven games and doing the best I can.
"I have really enjoyed my time here and definitely wouldn't rule out coming back. Even if it is not next season, down the line, I could maybe come back. The standard has been good and I love the boys. The fans have been supportive of me as well.
"I think the team will have a really good year next season with the manager. Things are building really well.
"The new gaffer (coach Carl Robinson) is very intense and does a lot of tactical work. He is always coaching and giving advice. Your brain is nearly shaking at the end of training because it is so intense.
"It is great, you are always learning."
Burns had limited opportunities in the first three months of the season and made just three appearances off the bench. He got his chance in round 12 when Craig Deans was appointed interim boss after the departure of Ernie Merrick.
"I always had the belief that I would get into the team at some point," Burns said. "It was difficult at the start. I probably knew when I first came that it was going to be hard to adapt. Over here there is a lot more passing. I have developed in playing out from the back, being more composed on the ball. My dad has been out here for the past two weeks and has heart attacks when we are playing out from the back.
"Playing left wingback has helped with my running. My fitness has gone up. It's a different style here. The wingers try and play one-twos to get around you rather than dribbling at you and crossing.
"The league is very different to Scotland but I would say it's a similar standard, if you take out Celtic and Rangers.
"I'm doing all right at the minute but there are still seven games to go and I want to keep achieving and doing well."
Since his promotion to the XI, Burns has delivered 59 crosses into the box. Right wingback Matt Millar has put the most balls into the area with 84, but only 40 since round 11.
"I do I lot of practice on my crossing," Burns said. "Even though I wasn't in the team, it was something I really worked on. The past couple of months, my crossing has been really consistent. It has kind of given us a different weapon. I have been able to go down the left side and get those crosses in. I have a couple of assists now which is great.
"The more I keep putting in good balls, the more the team will give me the ball. The one thing the manager says to me is that you have to encourage the strikers to get in there. If you keep putting in rubbish crosses, they will stop making the runs."
After a bye last round, the Jets face a tough trip to Adelaide on Sunday.
"Things are going well," Burns said. "It was a great win against Perth and hopefully we can continue that run of form. It's a pity we have left it as late as we have, but we are still in with a chance. Hopefully we can get a win in Adelaide and keep the momentum going."
