In fact, the standards he sets for himself far outweigh the expectations of a club looking for a return on a big-money signing.

The million-pound man is looking forward to the challenge of repaying the faith Owen Coyle has put in him, and scoring the goals to make himself a crowd favourite at Turf Moor.

The 21-year-old Northern Ireland international netted 14 Championship goals for relegated Scunthorpe United last term, the first of which came against the Clarets at Glanford Park last August.

But despite that return raising eyebrows and interest across the division, Paterson himself felt the season didn't entirely go to plan on a personal front: "I didn't surprise myself last season, I got asked that many times.

"I had a hernia from Christmas onwards and struggled, and, in my opinion, I don't think I had a great season.

"I did reasonably well, but certainly didn't surprise myself.
"I'd like to think I try to be a perfectionist, but if you watch me play, I don't think I'm a perfectionist at all!

"I make many mistakes, but I like to be the best we can every Saturday, and if I'm not, I'm not happy.

"If I'm at it and work hard, there should be more to come.

"I set myself a goal target at the end of last season for this season – I like to do it early.

"I don't come out and say what it is, but to reach it this year will be a real task, and one I'm willing to work towards."

The arrival of Chris Eagles for a seven-figure fee from Manchester United has helped ease any burden felt by Paterson, but he takes it all in his stride: "It was nice to be away all pre-season, and then when we came back, Chris Eagles had signed, so I pushed all the pressure on to him!

"I said 'Chris, come on, you've got to produce this year!'

"There will obviously be a bit of pressure, but sometimes pressure can be a help and bring out the best in you.

"I'm looking forward to the pressure, I've never wilted under pressure and never will."

Eagles and Paterson formed half of an exciting attacking quartet in the final pre-season game against Inverness Caledonian Thistle, along with Robbie Blake and Wade Elliott, and the former Stoke forward is champing at the bit to play alongside them in the Championship: "Robbie and Chris Eagles, are, in my opinion, probably the two best technical players at the club, and the most intelligent.

"Especially Robbie, who's been doing it for years, playing off the front and putting those balls through, so it's great to play with someone like him.

"Chris has just come in and is the same kind of player, he's had a great upbringing and played with top, top players, so it can only be good for the club.

"My role's not as easy as theirs though! It's hard work, with the way that we played in pre-season!

"But you never know who's going to play, and what's going to happen.
"The gaffer's kept everyone guessing who's going to play, and whoever does play has to cement themselves in the team.

"With the forward players we have though, it's going to be exciting.
"The way the team play, there will be chances, and it's down to me or whoever plays to put them away.

"I'm sure whatever personnel are involved will do just fine."

Paterson is also enjoying learning his trade under master marksman Coyle, who enjoyed a prolific career, and, indeed, joined Chris Waddle as the only player-manager to score for the Clarets against Glentoran in Belfast!

And the youngster said: "I still think the gaffer thinks he's a better finisher than me! He still thinks he's got a bit, but he's scored a tremendous amount of goals in his career, and if someone has scored that many goals, you listen to them. A few things he has said I have already taken on board, and it can only help me."

Paterson has three goals in nine appearances in pre-season, but would trade those strikes for one at Hillsborough tomorrow: "I've done alright in pre-season, but that's all scrapped when the first game comes along.

"You've then got to concentrate on the season.

"I'd love to have scored a hat-trick every game in pre-season, but, to be honest, you're better saving it for the season.

"It's always important, no matter what the game is, to score goals, as a striker or a poacher, and you just have to try and score as many as you can."