Will Healy’s future be on the bench?

Nov 19 2008 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

SUNDERLAND striker David Healy is already looking to a career in coaching when he hangs up his shooting boots and while Northern Ireland’s all-time top-scorer is not sure he is nasty enough for management, he has not ruled out the possibility of one day leading his country.

Healy is expected to win his 70th cap in tonight’s Windsor Park friendly with Hungary and although at 29 he has plenty of years ahead of him, he is already looking to the day when he retires from playing.

With 35 international goals to his name, Healy has always enjoyed more success with his country than his clubs, and it is international football where he expects his coaching focus to be trained.

“People have been keen to talk me into doing my coaching badges and it is something I will do,” he said.

“I would like to give something back to Northern Ireland, be it coaching young kids or teenagers.

“I would enjoy the coaching side of things, managing may be more difficult because I don’t have a nasty side to let people down, especially say 15 or 16-year-olds who may not be getting a contract at a club.”

In an interview for a new DVD, David Healy, The Talisman, he was asked about the possibility of managing his country and it was not something he was prepared to discount.

“Coaching is something though I will look to do and if I was doing well at a club and the opportunity to manage Northern Ireland came along in 10 or 20 years time, who knows?” he said. “It is not an ambition at the moment, but I wouldn’t be against managing my country.

“But right now though I want to continue to win as many caps and score as many goals for my country.”

Steven Davis is doubtful for tonight’s friendly as he is dealing with a family matter.

The Rangers midfielder was expected to join the squad on Monday but instead has remained at home with the backing of his international manager Nigel Worthington.

Worthington explained: “Steven had an issue to deal with over the weekend and had dispensation to join up with us yesterday evening.

“But he has had other family news and our thoughts and prayers are with him at this time.

“However he wants the door left open if things change and I’m more than happy to do that. If he arrives an hour and a half before kick-off I would be delighted to see him. But the nature of the situation is we have got to prepare with what we have at the moment.”

Worthington is likely to give a run-out and a first cap to Derry winger Niall McGinn, who has been impressive in training.

Full-back Ryan McGivern, on loan at Morecambe from Manchester City, seems certain to get another outing in the absence of Healy’s Black Cats team-mate George McCartney.

Worthington said: “I am looking for a good performance at a high tempo and hope we will get a few goals.”