Hapoel Tel Aviv Goalkeeper Denies Blame for Team's Relegation

Roy Burns, a 25-year-old goalkeeper who came up through the Hapoel Tel Aviv youth system, has stated that he is not responsible for the team's relegation to the second division. Burns, who made his senior debut for the club in the 2023/24 season during a critical period, believes the team's struggles were a result of a full season's performance, not solely his actions in the final matches. He acknowledged that while he could have performed better, football involves mistakes and he was part of a larger team effort.

Burns's opportunity came unexpectedly when then-starting goalkeeper Emilijus Zubas was injured. He described the situation as a dream come true that turned into a nightmare due to the team's subsequent relegation. Despite the criticism from some fans, Burns feels that many supporters understood the circumstances and did not solely blame him. He also mentioned receiving support from family, friends, and a mental coach, Boris Kleiman, who shared insights from his own career.

During his time at Hapoel Tel Aviv, Burns also received encouragement from goalkeeping coach Nir Davidovitch, who predicted he would become a leading goalkeeper in the top league within two years. Burns expressed a strong desire to stay with Hapoel Tel Aviv to help them return to the top division, but the club decided to send him on loan, first to Hapoel Kfar Shalem and then to Maccabi Jaffa, where he has played for the past two seasons.

Burns is currently on loan at Maccabi Jaffa, aiming to help them avoid relegation from the National League. He began the current season with Hapoel Tel Aviv, feeling a sense of returning home, but was eventually loaned out again. He stated that coach Elininv Barda wished him well, encouraging him to gain experience and return to Hapoel Tel Aviv through the "front door."

Burns hopes to use his experiences, including the difficult period of relegation, as a lesson for other players facing adversity. He believes that setbacks can ultimately lead to a successful career if one maintains faith and surrounds themselves with supportive people. He aims to play, achieve his goals with Maccabi Jaffa, and then return to Hapoel Tel Aviv with renewed experience and determination.