SCORING twice to knock Arsenal out of a cup would be a highlight in the career of even the most experienced professional.

But with his own career still in its infancy, Kevin McDonald describes his starring moment merely as “an added bonus”.

The youngster’s statement may come across as blase, but really the confident Carnoustie-born midfielder believes there is much more to come from him; starting, he hopes, when his second season at Turf Moor coincides with Burnley’s first in the Premier League.

A succession of minor injuries curtailed the Scotland Under 21 international’s debut campaign in the English football after signing from Dundee last summer.

But McDonald is ready to put his frustrations behind him and have a more significant impact on Owen Coyle’s first team in the top flight.

“The first year’s been amazing. I never got to play as much as I’d like through injuries last season, but I’m happy for everyone in the team, I’m happy for myself and this season’s going to be a massive one for all of us,” said the 20-year-old, who was restricted to just 13 league and cup starts.

“It was a bit frustrating last season but everyone gets injuries and I’m lucky it wasn’t really bad.

“There was a groin injury and a couple of ankle injuries, they weren’t major but ones that keep you out for a while. I feel fine now.

“I’m looking forward to having a good run and playing in front of thousands of fans every week.

“It will be unbelievable, and everyone in the dressing room – all the young boys and all the experienced boys – just can’t wait for the chance to play in the Premier League.

“Everyone wants to play in the top league and we’ve got the chance to do it.

“Not many people go through their lives and play there.

“We’ve got a great chance to do it and hopefully we can be there for years to come.”

McDonald’s goals against the Gunners fired Burnley into the semi finals of the Carling Cup last season, but, he said: “It was just an added bonus.

“When I come on to the pitch and when I start I want to prove to myself what I can do.

“Now I just need to get a run of games and show everyone what I’m capable of at the top level.”

And McDonald believes the Clarets can use their underdog tag to their advantage.

“Everyone says we’ll be relegated,” he said.

“As soon as we got promoted you knew we would be one of the least favourites to stay up, but that means we’ve got no pressure.

“We can just go out and play the way we want to, and hopefully that means we can get the results to keep us up there.”