Daily Record

Hughes:David’ssetforbig­gerandbett­er

-

AARON HUGHES shared an internatio­nal stage with David Healy for the best part of 13 years.

Yet the Northern Irish ace still can’t quite get his head around the fact that he’s now boss of Linfield.

The Belfast side face Celtic on Friday in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier.

But the 37-year-old Hearts defender believes it’s only a matter of time before bigger clubs come calling for the Irish treble winner, regardless of his result against the Scottish champions.

He said: “I know David really well from playing alongside him with Northern Ireland.

“The Celtic game will be massive for him and there will also be that wee bit of rivalry

“I wouldn’t necessaril­y say that a good result against Celtic would make people sit up and take notice. The domestic results already show how good a manager he is.

“Maybe clubs from other places aren’t as aware of him but I’ve no doubt, regardless of the result against Celtic, David will go on – without being disrespect­ful – to bigger and better things.”

Hughes insists that his old pal has done a remarkable job with the semi-profession­al outfit after he hung up his boots in 2013.

Hughes said: “David knows the game. He’s always had that hunger so it was his next step.

“People maybe don’t appreciate just how good a job he has done at Linfield but to go in and win all three trophies so soon after taking charge is a really big achievemen­t.”

 ??  ?? BACKS OLD PAL Hughes
BACKS OLD PAL Hughes

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom