Healy to get 'head down' after deciding on Linfield stay

Linfield boss David Healy says it is a "privilege" to manage the Windsor Park club after signing a contract extension this week.

The former Northern Ireland striker, who has won the league five times as manager of the Blues, was subject of an approach from Scottish Championship side Raith Rovers but opted to stay in the post he has held since 2015.

“It happened pretty quickly last week," said Healy of the opportunity to return to Scotland where he previously played for Rangers.

"I’ve been on record lots of times, numerous times, [regarding] the privilege that I have to manage this great club.

"My job now is to get my head down, work as hard as possible, continue to try and strive for this club to be better, try and strive for me to be better and the staff and the people around me."

Healy's Linfield dropped their first points of the season on Friday night, drawing 2-2 with Portadown at Shamrock Park.

Matthew Fitzpatrick had twice given the visitors the lead but the points were shared thanks to Ryan Mayse's strike five minutes into injury time.

"We didn’t capitalise on our opportunities," added Healy.

"We got punished with a little bit of sloppiness probably towards the end of the first half and then in the second half we didn’t create as many opportunities as we did in the first half to go and capitalise on.

"The players are disappointed, of course. It was an opportunity that we felt, especially when you’re in the lead twice, we should have went and capitalised on that."