The football star's magnificent double meant Northern Ireland topped their qualifying group for the first time in 22 years and are now in with a shot at reaching the Euro 2008 finals in Austria and Switzerland next year.

The Green and White Army sang their hearts out in Windsor Park as Northern Ireland replaced the Scandinavians at the top of the group with a 2-1 victory, and the first conquest of Sweden in 27 years.

The Killyleagh goal machine has now scored 29 goals for Northern Ireland - five of them in the last two games.

But manager Lawrie Sanchez cautioned against over-confidence, warning that although Northern Ireland is topping the Euro 2008 qualifying group, they're only halfway through their 12 games.

"It's been a great night tonight, but we are only halfway - there's a lot of work left in this group. he said.

And the manager expressed his disappointment after Northern Ireland conceded a 27th minute goal to Johan Elmander.

Of his starring striker, he said: "I've run out of words to describe him - top class, world class."

And Healy, who was being watched by representatives of Scottish titans Rangers, said Northern Ireland has improved in leaps and bounds to surge up the group since the start of the contest.

He admitted to being "pretty embarrassed" at the adoration heaped on his head last night.

"As long as I can score goals and we can win games, who knows what will happen in the future?" he said.

Healy rectified Northern Ireland's unlucky start in the 33rd minute with a strike from 18 yards and sealed the victory at 59 minutes with a near-post finish from Damien Johnson's cross.

Sanchez played Grant McCann in the centre of midfield with Damien Johnson moving to occupy the right, after winger Keith Gillespie was suspended for the game.

The manager also opted to play striker Warren Feeney ahead of Kyle Lafferty.