Linfield youngster Rhys Annett reveals final words from David Healy ahead of match heroics

Linfield youngster Rhys Annett was delighted to deliver on manager David Healy's ultimatum during Saturday's clash with Ballymena United.

Annett came off the bench to score the opening goal in a 2-0 victory at Windsor Park, the Blues eventually breaking down the stubborn resistance of 10-man Ballymena with two goals in the final 12 minutes.

The 20-year-old - who celebrated his birthday last week - says boss Healy challenged him to 'score the winner' as he sent the young forward into action just two minutes before he scored.

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Annett said: "It has been a good week. It was my birthday and then doing this today has probably topped it off. I am a happy man now."

He added: "When David said he was putting me on, he just said get the winner. And I just smiled back at him. Thankfully two minutes later I scored to make it 1-0, and I also had the flick-on for Kirk's goal. So it was the perfect Saturday.

"I don't think it was my first touch, but it was probably the first touch with my head. Kirk puts in crosses like that all the time and thankfully I was in space, I closed my eyes and flicked it, and it went in."

Annett is delighted to be in the thick of action after overcoming a serious injury earlier in the season. The youngster thought he had sustained cruciate ligament damage in a cup game against Dundela, but fortunately follow-up scans revealed less extensive damage.

"I picked up a bad injury against Dundela, but thankfully when we got the scan back it wasn't as bad as first thought. But it set me back," he said.

"Thankfully I am back now and feeling a lot better. It was the way I landed, my femurs hit into each other. If the impact had been sideways and not straight on, then it would have been a lot worse. Thankfully it wasn't as bad as I thought."

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Reflecting on the 2-0 win over Ballymena, which keeps Linfield five points clear at the top, Annett said: "It is a big win., Ballymena are a good side. We couldn't break them down.

"We weren't moving the ball quick enough, but then we started doing that and got the three points. Them going down to 10 men obviously helped us, but it is always tough breaking 10 men down."

Next up for Linfield is Saturday's huge showdown with champions Larne, who continue to play catch-up due to their ongoing European commitments.

Annett said: "We have to do our jobs and not worry about anyone else. That's what we have done so far, even with the injuries we have and the players carrying knocks."

Meanwhile, Blues boss Healy said: “You don’t always get it right when making a substitution, but I was pleased that Rhys popped up with the vital goal.

“He’s had a rough time of late, he picked up a bad injury in a Cup game at Dundela. He has missed numerous weeks. He is still learning; he is still physically developing.

“Technically, Rhys is very good. More importantly, he got himself into the (six-yard) area, where I asked him to be, in front of the goalkeeper. He knows where the net is, he got a vital touch to Kirk’s cross, I’m delighted for him.

"In training he is one of our best finishers. Rhys also played a part in the second goal. He’s not the biggest player but he got a great flick and Kirk did the rest.”

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