David Healy labels Linfield’s visit of Crusaders to Windsor Park as ‘a big game’
Linfield manager David Healy says Saturday’s game against Crusaders has got even bigger after dropping two points at Portadown through the week.
The Blues were denied a sixth straight Premiership victory at Shamrock Park as Ben Kennedy’s penalty earned the Ports their first point of the season.
Healy’s men had broken the deadlock through Kyle McClean’s clever finish but never kicked on and were punished when Kennedy netted from the spot after Dane McCullough was adjudged to have handled inside the box.
It means Linfield trail leaders Coleraine by three points at this early stage and Healy was left “hugely, hugely disappointed” with the manner of his side’s performance at Portadown.
They will hope to get back on the winning trail on Saturday afternoon as they welcome Crusaders to Windsor Park.
He told the club’s social media channels: “I thought we were poor all night, even when we took the lead.
"It’s always the case whether you win, lose or draw...the next game is always important.
"But I’m more disappointed with the performance on Tuesday night.
“We leave with a draw, disappointing as it is, I don’t even know if we deserved a draw.
"Crusaders becomes, as it was always going to be, a big game.
"They’re in decent enough form so we look forward to that.”
Crusaders ended their run of two defeats on the trot by claiming an impressive 3-0 victory at home to Dungannon Swifts through the week.
Second-half goals from Robbie Weir, Scot Rough and Lloyd Anderson secured the points against 10-man Swifts at Seaview.
Crusaders assistant manager Sean O’Neill paid tribute to the whole squad for that win but heaped praise on player in particular.
"The boys were brilliant on Tuesday but none more so than the skipper,” he explained to Crues TV.
"He was fantastic and booked within the first couple of minutes and you think to yourself ‘is Robbie going to stay on the pitch here’?
"But he was incredible and he led the team throughout and was duly awarded the man of the match as he was outstanding on the night.
"We also have really good pace in the wide areas and we know we can hurt the best teams.”