Linfield boss David Healy admits the champions have a target on their backs

Straight-talking Healy insists the pressure is always on to deliver at Linfield and it’s something he thrives on.

And even though he provided more questions than answers with his reaction and comments following his team’s latest success back in April, he still has that insatiable appetite to be even better.

“The pressure is always on for me and the for the players,” says Healy.

“We are always public enemy number one. The fact that we have won the title for the past four years doesn’t heap more pressure on us — absolutely not.

“It’s what’s expected at the football club. We know teams will be coming after us, that’s a given.

“But I would imagine, with the investment in certain clubs over the last number of years, there is going to be a huge amount of pressure on other managers to be successful.

“There is only one team that can win the League title. Yes, there are other cup competitions up for grabs, but the League is the most important one.

“I put myself under immense pressure with the role and responsibility I have managing Linfield. But I would suggest there are three or four other clubs and three or four other managers who will be under pressure, so we’ll see how that pans out.”

Although the Blues were pushed to the wire by Paddy McLaughlin’s Cliftonville, last season, Healy expects other clubs to up the ante as well.

“I would expect Glentoran and other clubs to improve on the season they’ve just had,” adds.

“There will be a huge amount of pressure on other managers, I’m under no illusions about the pressure we put ourselves under at Linfield Football Club.

“It’s alright pushing and nearly getting there, but some of the supporters, chairmen and investors will be putting a bit of pressure on to be successful.

“Cliftonville were probably the surprise package for many people, the challenge for them now is can they improve on what they did last year?

“It wasn’t a surprise to me with the calibre of players that were attracted to the club — and also the players they had. They all benefited from the way Paddy interacts and manages.

“When the run-in was becoming tight further down the line, I reiterated my thoughts to many people — it’s what I expected from the Reds.

“Every club has been active over the summer in terms of the transfer window and they have signed players with a view of sustaining a title challenge. We are under no illusions. I’ve always said my aim and my goal is the domestic season, it’s our bread and butter. Winning the League title gives you the platform and the opportunity to play in Europe — that will be no different this time.

“I’d be telling lies, going into the start of the season, if I didn’t believe and understand that I have to be successful at Linfield. I want to be successful.

“It’s going to be even more difficult. When you look at the calibre of some of the signings in the League over the summer, most of the teams have improved enormously.

“We think we have improved with the players we have brought in also. We are now a year further down the road in terms of the transition from part-time to full-time football. We are happy with what we have done and we are happy with what we are doing.

“We now look forward to see where that takes us.”

With the Blues involved in European action, which coincides with the start of the League campaign, Healy insists it’s not something that will cause him sleepless nights.

He explains: “What we will have, in the initial early weeks of the season, is European games clashing with the start of the League campaign.

“We don’t know how long it will last, but what we want to do is go as far as we can in Europe. We will prepare accordingly going forward. We will not be doing anything extraordinary.

“I know all the talk is about an Irish League club reaching the groups stages of some of the European tournaments, but I’ll let other people talk about that.

“We’ll concentrate on whatever games we need to play. Once the League starts, we’ll prepare for that when it comes to us or whatever situation we find ourselves in.”

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