Irish Premier League: ‘Embarrassed’ Linfield manager Healy ‘almost booed himself’ after defeat to Portadown

Linfield manager David Healy told BBC Sport NI he “almost booed himself” after watching his side’s “unacceptable” performance in their 2-0 defeat to Portadown at Shamrock Park on Friday night.

Second-half goals from Paris Altintop and James Thielan secured an impressive victory for Niall Currie’s side and condemned the champions to their second away defeat of the season.

“Really disappointing. Our performance levels were nowhere near the levels expected,” Healey said.

“That’s why we lost. Our behavior was wrong, which is even more disappointing, because I thought we had prepared before the game. But obviously that’s not the case.

“I’ll take a hard look at that. I’ve said to the players I think we have 15 players out of contract this year and, to be honest, I’m in no rush to renegotiate anything with anyone at the moment until we find out where we are as a group.”

The Blues coach added that the discontent shown by Linfield supporters at the end of the match was understandable.

“I went and clapped for the fans tonight, they booed me and rightly so.

“I almost booed myself as I walked over to applaud them because I was embarrassed for myself tonight and embarrassed for the players because of the level of football we played.

“The thing I drive at this football club is mentality and attitude. You may not always be at your best but you go and empty the tank.

“You wear the shirt with pride and we didn’t do that tonight. I’m responsible for that, I choose the team, and ultimately it’s my fault.

“I was hoping I could get over the white line tonight because I probably couldn’t have done anything worse than some of the guys who played.”

Healy says the team will now turn their attention to Tuesday night’s County Antrim Shield quarter-final away to Cliftonville.

“I’ll be assessing the game, we’ll be on Saturday and then play on Tuesday, which gives us an early return to try and get things right.

“When you lose a game, your most important game becomes the next game, so Tuesday night’s Solitude game, the County Antrim Shield, is not your most important cup, but it becomes your most important game.”