Healy Seeks Improved Performance in Upcoming Glentoran Derby

David Healy, the manager of Linfield, seeks an improved all-around display from his team as they prepare to play Glentoran at the Oval this Friday. Their previous encounter in October saw Declan Devine’s squad overcome a deficit to defeat the Blues by a score of 3-1 at Windsor Park. “We let ourselves down against Glentoran at Windsor,” Healy stated to BBC Sport NI. “I thought we were so good and so dominant in the first half, and then disappeared out of it in the second half after the Glentoran equaliser.” “They lost against Portadown [at the weekend] so it’ll be an easy one for Deccy [Devine] and their supporters to pick themselves up for.” Healy’s team secured a 1-0 victory over current champions Larne on Saturday and presently holds the leading position in the Irish Premiership, maintaining an eight-point advantage over their closest competitors, Cliftonville. Despite the tight standings, a win for Glentoran, currently in seventh place, this Friday would elevate them to second position in the league. “We’re coming off the back of our biggest result so far this season so we’ll look forward to the game,” Healy added. “When you play Glentoran – or any derby game – form goes out the window. I think it went out the window last time because we were in really good form and we underperformed.” “We know the rivalry, I know the history so it’s important that the players get themselves ready this week – and we will.”