Linfield chief David Healy: I take great heart from players’ spirit despite European exit
Linfield manager David Healy admits he has learned new traits about himself and his squad from the European forays
Linfield defender Jack Scott keeps tabs on Pogoń Szczecin’s Marcel Wędrychowski during the Blues' 3-2 defeat in Poland
Linfield manager David Healy says he has learned a lot more about himself and his team after a tough European campaign.
There was no Champions League action for the Blues this year but the Europa Conference League adventure still shone a light on the squad going into another season.
It started brightly, with a 3-1 win at home to KF Vllaznia, but it was a tense affair at the Loro Boriçi Stadium in Shkodër, where the hosts could only manage one goal and the Blues progressed 3-2 on aggregate.
The next opponents were a step up in quality. Pogoń Szczecin ran out 5-2 winners at Windsor Park, effectively killing off Linfield’s European hopes.
Healy’s men lost 3-2 in Poland to make it an 8-4 aggregate defeat.
The Blues took the lead in the 16th minute through a fantastic Jamie Mulgrew finish from outside the box, but the home side equalised through Efthymios Koulouris in the 49th minute.
Linfield responded through a Kyle McClean header two minutes later but the Ekstraklasa institution went on to equalise for the second time through Linus Wahlqvist, before Vahan Bichakhchyan produced a wonder strike to win it.
The Blues’ primary target is the Premiership title, which can potentially give them a greater chance of progress in Europe. Memories of the Play-Off against RFS last year remain fresh.
“I couldn’t be more proud of the players,” said Healy. “The goals we conceded over the two legs were disappointing, but we showed real commitment, hard work and organisation. The players were exceptional.
“It’s
Read on belfasttelegraph.co.uk
