Christian Burgess in frame for Belgium glory after his Portsmouth agony

The central defender endured successive play-off semi-final agony with Pompey before departing for Belgium last summer.

Now his club stand nine points clear in the Belgian First Division B as they bid to reach the top flight.

Burgess has been ever-present for Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, starting all 15 of their league fixtures.

No outfield player has totalled as many match minutes for the leaders, with the 29-year-old a pivotal presence.

With 11 wins, their 35-point haul is nine more than second-placed RFC Seraing.

While Burgess has been part of a back four which has conceded 12 goals in 15 games – the best defensive record in the division by far.

The side which wins the title are promoted to the Belgian First Division A, which includes the likes of Anderlecht, Club Brugge, Standard Liege, Genk and Mechelen.

The league also includes KV Oostende, where Burgess’ former Pompey team-mate Cameron McGeehan now plays.

The team which finishes second in the Belgian First Division B heads into a two-legged play-off with the side which comes second from bottom in the league above.

In an eight-team league, it means Burgess and his Royale Union Saint-Gillois team-mates have 14 remaining matches to seal top spot from such a strong position.

Burgess did, of course, win the League Two title with Pompey in 2016-17, missing just two matches and scoring four times in that memorable Paul Cook season.

However, in total, he lost in three play-off semi-finals with the Blues, the latter two coming under Kenny Jackett.

He left Fratton Park in July following 210 games and 12 goals.

Meanwhile, McGeehan is also enjoying himself in Belgium following his summer switch from Barnsley.

The 25-year-old made 17 outings and scored twice during a Pompey loan spell in the second half of last season.

Yet he would join KV Oostende on a three-year deal in August, despite interest from Jackett.

He has subsequently played 15 times, netting three goals, to help his side into 10th place in the Belgian First Division A.

They presently stand just one point and two places off a Europa League play-off spot.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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