The striker found the net in the defeat to Lincoln but the moment was overshadowed by another disappointing result and the departure of Hayen shortly afterwards.

Looking back on the occasion, Hountondji said: "It was a special day, but a weird one.

"From my point of view, I was not expected to start the game, so I was just a bit surprised to come in. I just tried to do my best and then I was happy that I scored this first goal, but then I think the team didn't play as we wanted to do. So yeah it was a really weird feeling."

Asked about the circumstances that led to Hayen's departure, the 24-year-old insisted the responsibility cannot rest solely with the head coach.

"Honestly, I think the first person when we don't have success is always the coach that we blame, but obviously the players also have a big part in that, so and I don't have the full answer," he said.

Burnley are now working under new boss Fabio Celestini, who has overseen two draws from his opening two matches.

Hountondji believes the former Basel and CSKA Moscow head coach has made an encouraging start after arriving at Turf Moor little more than a week ago.

"It's been a good start, I think. He settled the first basics. We have started to train on the really minimum basics and I think we have some first good results in the way we play and in the mentality of the team in the last two games," he said.

Burnley head into today's clash with Cardiff City searching for a much-needed league victory, and Hountondji feels three points would provide a significant boost before the international break.

"It would be a massive three points if we can get that, first of all for the head coach, but also for the work we are doing every day and every week since the start of the season," he added.