Linfield manager David Healy expressed his satisfaction with match-winner Isaac Baird following the Blues’ 1-0 victory against Bangor in the fifth round of the Irish Cup.
Summer arrival Baird scored the decisive goal just before half-time, directing a header into the net from a cross by Dane McCullough, which secured Linfield’s place in the sixth round, where they will take on Championship team Limavady United.
Healy noted that he was delighted Baird took his advice to focus on scoring more headers by positioning himself well in the box.
“Isaac should be scoring more goals; I told him before the match that he needs to be scoring more headers since he’s over six feet tall,” Healy shared with BBC Sport NI. “I was thrilled to celebrate that goal, not just because it was crucial, but because he took my advice.”
The 21-year-old midfielder has already made 21 appearances for Linfield since joining from Glenavon, and Healy believes there is still significant potential for further development in Baird’s game.
“The advantage with Isaac is his valuable experience already gained at Glenavon,” Healy continued. “He may seem like he’s been around for a while, but he’s still recovering from a long-term injury and is yet to fully utilize his physicality. The longer he stays with us, the more we’ll see improvements in his game.”
“He’s definitely a tremendous asset, hassle-free and very professional; the investment in him will undoubtedly pay off. He’s adapting well to the demands of full-time football and will keep getting better.”