AS one of Burnley’s most experienced European campaigners Aaron Lennon has been happy to offer up the advice to the rest of this Clarets squad.

And the message from the 31-year-old is simple: ‘Enjoy it’. Lennon has been doing just that and after a goalless draw in Turkey last week the Clarets will look to move into the Europa League play-off round by completing the job against Istanbul Basaksehir at Turf Moor on Thursday.

Lennon and new arrival Joe Hart are tied at the top of the list for Burnley in terms of European experiences, having both played 63 times, and the former Tottenham and Everton winger has been happy to tell the more inexperienced members of the squad what to expect.

“We’ve had a few chats about it, a few of the lads have come to me and asked what it’s like,” he said.

“It is different, having to play Thursday-Sunday and especially with the travelling, we’ve played two away games back to back this week and it does take it out of you.

“But the lads are good here, they look after themselves. It’s a case of mentally getting yourself right, the gaffer is always on at us. It’s about getting your preparation right and the right balance.”

Lennon might be an old hand when it comes to Europe, but his years of experience haven’t dampened his enthusiasm.

“I love it. Some of the games are so different, you get to travel and play against different styles and different players,” he added.

“It makes you a better all-round player because you’re adapting. On the Thursday you’re playing teams who want to keep it and play slow and then on a Sunday in the Premier League, it’s quick and it’s so different.”

While many of the squad might be European novices, they put in a mature performance in Istanbul to escape with a goalless draw.

“A 0-0 draw in any away leg is a great result,” Lennon said. “Europe is difficult with the travelling and stuff but we’re confident against anyone at our place and they won’t be looking forward to coming to the Turf. We’ll be looking to get the win on Thursday.

“Some of the lads haven’t played there but they’re a very experienced group. We know what we’ve got to do. We didn’t get that away goal, which we wanted, but we know we’re going to be solid and 0-0 is a great result for us. We’re feeling very confident going in to it.”

While in Istanbul, Lennon got to meet one of his biggest fans, Ferhat Utfurak, who has a huge collection of Lennon’s shirts. The winger signed them for Ferhat at the Fatih Terim Stadium and was delighted to be able to meet him.

“I didn’t even know he was going to be there but it was great to meet him,” Lennon said.

“He messages me all the time and I’d seen his shirt collection so it was a nice moment. I got to give him another shirt. It was good.

“I’d seen a few things before, I’d seen his shirt collection, I think he’s got more shirts than me which is crazy, but it was good to meet him and hopefully I made his day.”