The Blues had the chance to all-but-mathematically ensure promotion to the Premier League last night with three points, and they took the lead in the second half with a well-taken opener from Burns.
But Ryan Manning and Cyle Larin turned the game around for the Saints before Jack Clarke’s late equaliser. The result that ensures the hosts fall short of their top-two ambitions, while Town will need to win against QPR on Saturday to ensure promotion to the Premier League.
“It was a bit of a rollercoaster game,” Burns said.
“Both teams knew coming into it that a draw was a bit of a nothing result, so it was basically evidence of two teams that wanted to go and win the game.
“In my opinion, I think tonight is probably the highest level of a Championship football game that you’ll see. You’ve got two outstanding teams, really, in terms of starting XI and squad depth, things like that.
The winger started his first game since suffering a calf injury March 14th (Image: Ross Halls)
“It wasn’t the result that either team wanted, but the performance that we gave tonight was a really, really solid, confident one.
“If we take that into Saturday, I think we’ll be fine.”
For Burns, the opener clearly meant a lot. The way he celebrated it showed that.
“I’ve had some really good moments since coming back from my injury,” he recalled.
“I’ve had a little bit of rotten luck with various things since coming back, but that’s football. It’s a part of the journey.
“I’m just glad to be able to contribute in any way I can this year, really.
“To score in front of our travelling fans and get the reception that they always give me is always a special feeling for me.”
Burns is the man of the moment so often. Two years ago, he fired Ipswich ahead in their crucial clash against Huddersfield Town that secured promotion from the Championship. Back in December, he returned from his ACL injury to bag a vital goal away at Coventry City.
Burns’ strike helped the Blues secure a point at St. Mary’s (Image: Ross Halls)
Last night’s strike was another to add to the list.
“When the big games come, you always look to somebody to step up in those moments,” Burns explained. “For some reason, it always seems to be me over the recent years.
“I like to take the pressure on and maybe take a little bit of pressure off others to let them thrive a little bit.
“I’m glad that I can always help in any way that I can.”
Where the first half lacked goals, the second half more than made up for it.
Ipswich showed real character to come from behind when the home fans at St. Mary’s were in full voice and confident that their team would keep their automatic promotion dreams alive.
“I think, when we went 1-0 up, there was probably a period of five, ten minutes where they really, really got on top of us,” Burns admitted. “We probably didn’t manage that as well as we could.
“They needed to win, so they were always going to come out and give it everything after we went 1-0 up.
“We probably could have managed that moment in the game a little bit better, but when we went 2-1 down, I think the character and resilience is something that the squad can be really, really proud of, really.
Town will need to beat QPR this weekend to guarantee promotion to the Premier League (Image: Ross Halls)
“To come back from that moment when we were 2-1 down in their stadium, in front of their fans, the place is rocking. It’s easy to go under in that moment.
“But I think the last 20, 25 minutes, we were by far the better team. We were probably the only team that looked like they were going to go and win it.
“We had countless chances towards the end. Jack Clarke had a couple of chances and the keeper pulls off an unbelievable save right at the end. We’re probably, on another day, taking all three points and winning 3-2.
“But the lads can be super, super proud of the second-half performance after going 2-1 down.”
So, is this an opportunity missed, or a good performance and result to take into QPR this weekend?
“You’ve got to look at it as a positive overall,” Burns stressed.
“These are on an incredible run. They are probably the most in-form team in the league. They are coming off the back of an incredible cup run as well.
“The confidence is high. They are going into every game knowing that they’re going to win. For us to come back from it the way we did and give the performance that we did is perfect.
“It sets us up amazingly for Saturday.”