Burnley must channel their inner Iceland, says Gudmundsson

Midfielder Johann Berg Gudmundsson wants Burnley to adopt the mentality of his national team Iceland and embrace their underdog status to ensure Premier League survival.

Gudmundsson completed his switch to Turf Moor from Charlton Athletic just days after Iceland were knocked out of Euro 2016 at the quarter-final stage.

Their progression from a group that included eventual champions Portugal and subsequent defeat of England made the unfancied Nordic nation one of the summer showpiece’s standout performers.

Burnley will also be battling to defy the odds as they seek to avoid relegation from the Premier League and Gudmundsson wants them to embrace their challenge rather than shy away.

“I’ve noticed similarities,” said the 25-year-old.

(Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

“We (Iceland) play 4-4-2 and how we (Burnley) play is similar as well so it should be easy to get to know how we play.

“It’s no problem to be underdogs, sometimes it’s a good thing and we can surprise a few people, that’s something we want to do and keep our place in the league.

“I can see the unity and all the lads working for each other, that should be how it is in a team sport.

“It’s 11 players, or 18 in a squad, to work together and try and get three points in every game, that’s how it should be in a team sport.

“If everybody is working together for each other you can do amazing things in football, that’s something we will look to do.”