NORTHERN Ireland striker Kyle Lafferty has put his recent success down to his Clarets connection.

The 19-year-old hitman has come to prominence this season, on both the domestic and international fronts, and started up front for Lawrie Sanchez's Northern Ireland side who beat Spain 3-2 in one of the country's greatest ever wins in Belfast last night.

Lafferty's partner David Healy scored a hat-trick to revive memories of the Irish's famous win over Spain in 1982.

Although he's only hit the net once in the current campaign, Lafferty has earned rave reviews and has cemented his place in both the Clarets and Northern Ireland squad.

And Lafferty, who scored his first international goal against Finland last month, has thanked his international and club colleagues Steve Jones and Michael Duff for the part they have played in his development.

He said: "The lads help me a lot. They continually talk to me and try to improve me as a player and as a young lad I think I need all the advice I can get.

"The fact they are with me every day at club and country means a lot too.

"You form good friendships and that helps when the football stops."

Lafferty, who will hope to fire the Clarets to the three points against Colchester at the weekend, has been talked about as the long-term successor to veteran striker James Quinn.

A notion that fills Lafferty with a great deal of joy.

He added: "He (Quinn) has done well over the years with Northern Ireland and to hear that I can hopefully fill his boots is unbelievable."

But the Clarets' long history with famous Northern Ireland players isn't lost on the young striker and he's very happy to be carrying on a very proud tradition.

"When Burnley scouted me I knew very little about the club," he said.

"I just knew they were a Championship club, but every time I go home now people constantly ask me about Northern Irish legends like Jimmy McIlroy, Billy Hamilton and Willie Irvine and I'm proud to say I play for the same club."