Linfield boss David Healy ready for 'most difficult task' in pursuit of more Irish League trophy glory

His Linfield leadership has featured a long-running title tussle with Larne for the ultimate Gibson Cup honour​, the rising threat of new power Coleraine and weight of tradition tied to every ‘Big Two’ contest against old rivals Glentoran.

However, he brings his Blues to Taylor’s Avenue this afternoon convinced the “hugely difficult” away day against Carrick Rangers remains alone in terms of Premiership road hurdles.

"Hugely difficult...what I do more often than not, whether it's Saturday to Saturday or Saturday to Tuesday, I always pre-warn the players of the dangers of playing Carrick,” said Healy on the club’s official social media channels in the aftermath of a 2-0 league win over Bangor. “Straight away, Bangor’s done, it's finished...we move on, we move on quickly.

"So we've a big week ahead of us...going to Taylor’s Avenue is tough.

"They (Carrick) had a strong win away to Dungannon (4-2), which probably one or two maybe didn't see coming.

"But with the level of experience, the knowledge of Stephen Baxter (Carrick manager) and the experienced players that they have, it's probably the most difficult task.

"You can say it about playing Glentoran away and Coleraine away and Larne away but Taylor's Avenue and Carrick pose huge problems for us and we need to make sure that we're bang on it on Saturday.”

That Bangor performance provided Healy with positives beyond the points – with minutes off the sidelines as second-half substitutes for club captain Jamie Mulgrew and striker Matthew Fitzpatrick

“We had Jamie (Mulgrew) back in and around today who hasn't kicked the ball for us, ‘Fitzy’ (Fitzpatrick) back in and around available and, hopefully, going forward one or two more,” said Healy after beating Bangor by 2-0. “So that's the positives.

"I don't think we picked up any injuries...no suspensions apart from Kirk Millar, who has one game left to serve.

"So everything's all OK at the moment.”