Debut disappointment for ex-Portsmouth favourite Christian Burgess

After arriving in Belgium at the end of last week, the former Pompey favourite was handed his bow in Saturday’s friendly against Crossing Schaerbeek.

Played behind closed doors at the Stade Communal Auderghem, the pre-season fixture pitched two Brussels-based sides against each other.

However, it was Crossing who emerged as 1-0 winners, following a 78th-minute goal.

Burgess was among nine substitutes introduced at half-time for Saint-Gilloise as he was eased into the action.

The Belgian First Division B outfit are well into their preparation ahead of next month’s season’s start.

Burgess, of course, had previously been involved in Pompey’s play-off campaign, last appearing the semi-final second leg defeat at Oxford United last Monday.

On Thursday, he left the south coast to link-up with the Belgian club he joined on a free transfer, signing a three-year deal.

Saint-Gilloise’s next friendly is on Wednesday at Belgian First Division A side Genk.

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