Cirque

Yesterday I was with this French dude and according to him I cannot pronounce cirque (circus). I tried so many times but he says it sounded more like siècle (century). Apparently I can pronounce circonscription (electoral constituency) and it's just the start of that.. but .. ARGHHHH it was so frustrating. I was giving myself a sore throat trying to say it over and over again! Anyone else have a problem with this word?

Cirque sucks!

(image from here)