There is a new confidence in Michael Keane which flows through the whole club at Everton .

It is now seven clean sheets in nine games, there is a cautious optimism they have turned a corner under first-year boss Marco Silva and a European place is still in their thoughts going into Friday night's penultimate game of the season at home to Burnley.

Keane, who has also regained his place in the England squad, feels the Blues are on the threshold of exciting times where they can be trying to break back into the top six.

“That’s the next step,” said the 26-year-old.

(Image: Reuters)

“For five or six years now, Everton have been around the top six, been top of the pile of the clubs behind the top six and had the odd season in the top six. But we need to try and push on as a club and I’m sure the owners have that in their mind as well.

“It’s really exciting times with the new stadium as well, which is a while away but it’s in the pipeline.

“We need to make the next step as a team. It doesn’t happen overnight and we need to come together next season, take it one step at a time and see where it takes us. It’s something we want, we want to take the next step and be in Europe.”

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Keane pinpoints the Merseyside derby in March as a turning point for the club — a real coming-together moment.

(Image: Getty Images)

The former Manchester United starlet was outstanding that day as title-chasing neighbours Liverpool were held to a 0-0 draw on a day when it became clear that, even though there has been turbulence this season, Silva needs time as his methods are working.

“It was massive for us. The whole club came together that day. The fans, the players and everyone. I’ve never played in an atmosphere like that at Goodison,” said Keane.

“You can see improvement in a lot of individual players as well as the team. It takes a while to get used to a new manager’s style, for him to get his point across on the training ground and to understand your role. We’re at a point now where everyone knows that.

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“You can see we’ve improved throughout the season. We need to finish it strongly and I’m sure they’ll strengthen again in the summer and go again next season.

“I need to keep my consistency going and play my best week-in, week-out. But compared to last season it’s been night and day. I know I can still improve, I know I’ve still got things to learn and I’m always willing to learn and hopefully I’ll keep improving and the fans will see that next year.”

Keane is an eloquent talker, bright, and popular with the staff because of his polite and respectful manner. He earned A Levels in physics, chemistry and biology while studying by himself as he started his career at Old Trafford.

(Image: PA Wire)

Many believe that if Sir Alex Ferguson had stuck around then Keane would have got more of a chance with United but, instead, it was at Burnley where his career really kicked on and he established himself as a Premier League defender and England international.

He said of his time at Turf Moor: “It was massive for my development to go there. It was a big decision to leave Man United but, looking back, it was the best thing I could have done. I learned so much when I was at Burnley.

"I started off in the Premier League. We got relegated but you learn a lot from that, and I played week-in and week-out when we were in the Championship.

(Image: Getty)

“You have so many good times when you’re in a team which is winning week-in and week-out and you win a trophy. It gives you that hunger to want more of it.

“It was a very successful season the year after, staying in the Premier League. It was the first time in a long time for Burnley. All in all, I couldn’t have had a better time there on the pitch.

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“Off the pitch, it’s full of great people. Everyone treated me well and I’m still in touch with a lot of them now.

“It will be nice to see them on Friday but it’s a big game for us, we’re still pushing for seventh and we need to win it.”