Invermen on rise but we relish the challenge: Healy
LINFIELD boss David Healy doffed his cap at the resurgence of Larne — but has warned that his Danske Bank Premiership champions will not be in a complimentary mood in tonight’s top-of-the-table showdown at Inver Park.
Tiernan Lynch’s boys approach this much-anticipated clash with a one-point lead at the summit, plus an unbeaten record from their nine league starts, although they were held to a draw by Warrenpoint Town and Glentoran.
Apart from sharing the spoils with their Belfast Big Two rivals in a thrilling 3-3 draw, Linfield’s only blemish was a surprise defeat at Warrenpoint Town a fortnight ago, so something really has to give when the teams go toe-to-toe in front of 500 home fans tonight.
Larne claimed the bragging rights in a 4-1 win when they clashed early last month in a Shield tie. On that occasion, the Blues had to play for over an hour with 10 men after defender Ross Larkin was dismissed.
Healy is under no illusions it will be another testing 90 minutes for the title holders.
“Everyone seems to be talking about Larne these days, and rightly so because they have been a credit to what they have done and achieved so far,” said the former Northern Ireland striker. “They are breaking new ground, reflected in their Shield success recently.
“I believe it was their first senior trophy success for over 30 years. Although it is billed as a big game, sometimes they don’t feel like big games because there are very few fans in the grounds these days — there is a lack of atmosphere.
“I know there will be some fans attending, but it’s still not the same as having the ground packed as it would be in normal circumstances.
“But we are still looking forward to the challenge, one we’ll meet head on. We went down there last month with what I thought was a team capable of coping with the way Larne play.
“We lost a man early in the game, so it changed things for us. We are under no illusions how difficult it’s going to be. They use the pitch to their advantage, and we’ll probably be underdogs, which will be a change for us.”
Following their shock loss at Warrenpoint, the Blues got back on track last weekend by beating Cliftonville. Although Shayne Lavery and Kirk Millar got the goals, it was the performance of playmaker Jordan Stewart that caught the eye.
“Jordan had his own personal difficulties to deal with of late, but is now producing some excellent displays,” added Healy.
“It’s a challenge for some of our younger players in and around the team at the minute, the likes of Shayne (Lavery), Jordan and Kyle (Mcclean) — lads that have been playing across the water and come back a little bit scarred.
“It’s important you put an arm around them to let them know their value. Jordan has been here three and a half years and it took him time to adjust.
“His fitness levels are now miles better, his work rate is now miles better. When you see some of his touches, they are fantastic. When he is on it, he can be a nightmare to play against.”
Healy is sweating on the fitness of Navid Nasseri, while Christy Manzinga is still missing following his controversial incident against Glenavon a few weeks back.
“We have a few players still missing,” he added.
“Navid sustained a shoulder injury against Glentoran in a horrendous tackle. It’s disappointing to lose a player of that calibre because he was really starting to find his feet since joining us in the summer.
“Christy was missing for different reasons. But the players know anyone called on should be ready, just like Mark Stafford, who was immense against Cliftonville last weekend. He has never let me down and he’s also brilliant in and around the dressing room.”