Tom Heaton hopes Burnley have learned lessons from an up and down Premier League campaign. 

The Clarets needed a real upturn in fortunes in 2019 to pull themselves to safety, ultimately finishing 15th to secure a fourth straight year in the top flight.

Sean Dyche's side had been looking over their shoulders after a poor start to the season, Europa League involvement impacting on their performances domestically. 

But they ultimately made sure there was no nervy finale and can now look forward to trying to move back towards the top half of the table. 

“I thought we stood up to the challenges because it was difficult," Heaton said. 

"The highs of getting to the Europa League probably affected the start to the season because we struggled to get going a little bit. 

"We managed to turn the tables and it was an excellent second half to the season. 

"The points tally we racked up was superb and we really needed it. 

"It’s been a real positive and hopefully we can take the lessons from this season forwards and start bright next year."

Heaton believes ultimately, the character shown to hail themselves out of the relegation zone was a real plus point for the Clarets despite such a disappointing start after their seventh-placed finish last time around. 

“There are definitely a lot of positives to take from it," he said. 

"When it mattered we stood up to be counted. 

"There were some brilliant performances at the back half of the season.

"We took the game to every team and that was great. 

"We rallied at tough moments and showed a real iron core. 

"We’ve always known that we’ve had that but we probably needed it more this year. 

"At a time when it was required we found it."

Dyche's side looking like their old selves in the second half of the season coincided with Heaton's return to the fold. 

At one point the 33-year-old looked set to depart in January with Joe Hart the man in possession of the No.1 shirt. for the first part of the season 

But after the 5-1 home defeat to Everton on Boxing Day left Burnley three points adrift of safety, Heaton was back in the side four days later for the 2-0 win over West Ham.

That signalled the start the Clarets' revival and Heaton hasn't looked back, the former Manchester United man set to link up with England for the Nations League finals in Portugal at the start of next month. 

Emerging at Turf Moor for the Hammers game on December 30 stands out as the keeper's moment of the season. 

“The biggest highlight for me was walking out of the tunnel at the West Ham home game," Heaton said.  

"The reception I got from the crowd was absolutely incredible and that will stay with me for a long time. 

"I missed it, I didn’t hide the fact that I was frustrated and didn’t enjoy not being involved, but that’s football. 

"That can happen and they’re the moments that you’ve got to deal with. 

"You have to go back to the drawing board to a degree and get back to the basics. 

"I put the work in and thankfully the opportunity came, so that’s certainly been a highlight. 

"Going on the run as well, making sure the lads were all in it together and had that unity - win, lose or draw. 

"That’s been a big feature this season, we’ve stuck together in tough times and that’s when it matters. 

"It’s alright having a tight group, which is better than anywhere I’ve been or wherever anyone else has been, but that only makes a difference when times are tough.”