David Healy urges the Irish League’s rising stars to choose their next move carefully

Linfield boss David Healy insists young players have a lot to consider when clubs from across the water come calling

David Healy has backed the message from Gareth McAuley for young players to think about the whole picture when clubs across the water come calling.

McAuley praised Linfield’s Matthew Orr for getting valuable playing time in the Irish League as interest in the teenage defender from clubs in England continues to grow.

The Blues have been one of the leading clubs in Northern Ireland in developing young talent with academy talent and first team players securing moves away from Windsor Park in recent years.

Irish League players’ stock is high at present and Healy echoed McAuley’s sentiments in urging the young stars to weigh everything up before making a move.

“When Joel Cooper left us for Oxford we got less money for him, a proven Irish League player, than we do now for some of our 16-year-olds,” said the Linfield boss.

“We try and explain to some of our young players who have interest in them that it is better for clubs to have invested in them.

“There’s more interest in players from here now but if a club only offers say £5,000 or something for them you think, yeah, hang on a minute.

“If the kid after 18 months isn’t at a level, they’re thinking, ‘We’ve only spent five grand’, and they’re going to release him very quickly.

“Whereas if they have invested in the player by means of the transfer fee and invested in him and his family then they are going to work closer with them.

“So yeah it’s a big decision and young players have to choose wisely to make sure it’s the best move for them and their career.

“What we can’t do, and what we never have done or would never do as a football club is if a big club or somebody wants a 16-year-old, we won’t stand in their way.

“But I think personally, again, there’s no harm in going the Gareth McAuley route. He ended up playing until he was 37, 38. It took him a little bit longer to break into eventually.

“Gareth had an outstanding career. He scored one of the most iconic goals that Northern Ireland have ever seen on the European stage. So if anybody knows about playing in the Irish League and being patient and having a few knock backs it’s Gareth.

“Some of the younger players here they want to go to a Premier League club. Then all of a sudden, maybe it doesn’t work out and they’re maybe scarred a little bit. Their confidence maybe takes a couple of knocks. And then they have to go and find somewhere else.

“So as Gareth says about Matty Orr playing 40 or 50 games here, just like Trai, and there was also the likes of Paul Smith, Gavin White, Stuartie Dallas and Big G himself, who treaded a similar path, if you’ve played so many games at a young age then you’re ready to go and I think they’re better prepared for it.”