Healy Cites Lack of Composure After Linfield’s Loss to Glentoran

Despite maintaining an eight-point lead at the top of the league standings, Linfield manager David Healy attributed his team’s 1-0 loss to Glentoran at the Oval on Friday night to a deficiency in “composure” when presented with scoring opportunities. Marcus Kane, the captain for the home team, scored the initial goal just prior to half-time. Nevertheless, Declan Devine’s squad was reduced to 10 players with over thirty minutes remaining in the match after James Douglas was issued a second yellow card. Linfield, known as The Blues, subsequently applied significant pressure but were unable to convert their second-half superiority into an equalizer or a winning goal. Healy stated, “We didn’t show enough composure, enough understanding of what type of finish was needed in the final third.” He further added, “That’s the frustration. There were more than enough opportunities to at least get level.” He continued by saying, “The players, I feel as if there’s enough quality in the final third of the pitch. “But when it gets to moments like tonight, it’s about that split-second decision – do you go hard? Low? High? Whatever type of finish was needed, we didn’t get it right tonight.” Healy also commented that his team “lacked the intensity” and conceded a “really soft goal” during the initial half of the game. Following what was his team’s second underwhelming derby performance this season – with Glentoran having previously secured a 3-1 victory at Windsor Park last month – Healy declined to offer any justifications for the outcome, even though several appeals for penalties were dismissed in the second half. Regarding the potential spot-kicks, he declared, “Ifs and buts. I don’t want to make excuses, I won’t.” He concluded, “We had enough ball and we had enough time in the final third [to equalise] and we didn’t do that.”