Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
BLUES BANK ON BANN VICTORY
LINFIELD boss David Healy is prepared to get down and dirty in his bid to overhaul Crusaders at the top of the Danske Bank Premiership. The in-form Blues, who were nine points off the summit in February, have cut the gap to a point with seven league wins on the bounce. But while the Big Two giants have scored 13 goals in their last five premiership outings, Healy accepts his players will have to dig deep with just two games to go. Ahead of today’s trip to Coleraine, the former Northern Ireland striker said: “We’re down to the real nitty gritty and at this stage it isn’t about the performance, it’s all about the result. “We know any slip-ups and we won’t win the title, so our goal is to win our remaining two games and see where it takes us. “Crusaders are still a point clear and it’s out of our hands, but we want to go toe-to-toe until the end of the season. We know what’s expected and what’s at stake.” Healy won’t need reminding that Linfield’s last defeat was a 1-0 home reverse to Coleraine on January 3, while their other two league meetings this campaign were 1-1 draws. He said: “Coleraine have been a bit of a nemesis for us this season. It will be a huge test for us and it’ll be difficult because they are a good side.” Linfield made it 17 games unbeaten in all competitions with their midweek 3-0 win over Glenavon, while Coleraine had also gone 17 unbeaten prior to Tuesday’s 3-2 loss at the Crues. Healy said: “To lead Glenavon 3-0 at the break was pleasing, but if we are going to be winners, we have to be a bit more ruthless.”