HealyurgeshismentoearnspotinBlues’history

LINFIELD manager David Healy doesn’t just want his players to win trophies — he wants them to secure legendary status.

The Blues endured a trophyless campaign last season but now they are setting the pace in the Danske Bank Premiership and in the finals of the BetMcLean League Cup and Toals County Antrim Shield.

Although nothing has been won yet, Healy believes there is sufficient quality and hunger within his dressing room to write another special chapter in the club’s history.

It’s all about winning trophies at Windsor Park — nothing else matters.

And the League Cup has slipped from Linfield’s grasp for 10 years. Not since Glenn Ferguson’s (right) heroics in the 2008 final against Crusaders has the trophy been adorned with the Blues’ colours.

Healy knows the Windsor Park trophy winning machine needs to start rolling again and when it does his players can make history.

Linfield is a club that can make legends of players and Northern Ireland’s record goalscorer wants his boys to seize the moment, with three trophies still up for grabs.

Ballymena United, managed by Linfield’s legendary former manager David Jeffrey, will be fierce opponents but Healy expects his troops to be ready for the war.

“I keep saying to the players they have been immense since the doors were opened this season,” said Healy.

“It can’t have been easy because it was a tough year for everybody. We took criticism and rightly so but the players have been incredible.

“People talk about legendary Linfield teams and I think there’s enough ability in our dressing room to create a bit of history.

“Hopefully it won’t be another 10 years before Linfield are in another League Cup final.

“I want people to look back at what we achieve and say what a great group of players they were.”

Is there pressure to win at Linfield? Always.

But there’s rarely the kind of deep frustration that emerged like a bad smell after last season’s debacle.

A renewed sense of purpose and willingness to fight has steered the Blues into pole position in the title race while the champions Crusaders have faded.

With a Premiership meeting with second-placed Ballymena United following Saturday’s final, it feels like a crucial moment in Linfield’s season.

“As a club, this trophy means a lot and it’s been 10 years since Linfield won it,” added Healy. “Jamie (Mulgrew) is the only player who has experienced that.

“For myself as a manager you want the full house of domestic medals and hopefully the game will be a great spectacle.

“There’s always pressure to win at this club, regardless of the game. “People will say that it is Linfield’s home ground but both clubs have earned the right to play at the best stadium and on the best pitch in the country.

“I’ ll not add more pressure onto the players.

“It’s a big game and the players have momentum.

“I didn’t think we deserved to lose the Irish Cup game to Crusaders but in Cup football you don’t get second chances.

“In the league you can go again. In Cup finals our record has been 50-50.

“We lost to Ballymena in the County Antrim Shield in my first season but we won an Irish Cup final.

“The two managers and players are fully aware of each other’s credentials and what they are capable of.

“We play them in the league game in the following week and if we could win the final it will give us momentum going into that league game.” Rallying call: David Healy is focused on delivering glory