Touted as "The next Roy Keane",[3] he stayed with Forest for the next four years, making his debut on 4 September 1999 in a league match against Walsall.
Burns saw little playing time at City, making just eleven league appearances and spending six months on loan at Shelbourne in Ireland.
In November 2001 Burns agreed to terminate his contract with Bristol City,[4] having not featured in the league since the end of the 1999–2000 season.
After leaving Bristol, John signed for Carlisle United on 9 August 2002 on a monthlong contract.
[5] Whilst at Nottingham Forest, Burns was called up to the Republic of Ireland under-21 national football team, having previously represented his country at Under-16, Under-17 and Under-20 level.