Two goal hero Kirk Millar has spoken of his pride at helping Linfield secure one of the Windsor Park club’s most famous away wins in European football.
Millar, a native of the Shankill Road, scored twice as the Blues secured a memorable 2-1 first leg Europa League victory over Montenegrin champions FK Sutjeska in Podgorica.
It was only the Belfast club’s fifth away win in 59 attempts in Europe and their biggest foreign scalp since beating Greek side FC Xanthi in the same competition six years ago.
Reflecting on his headline grabbing brace in the third qualifying round tie, Millar told the Linfield website: “It was a very proud and special moment for me.
“It’s brilliant playing for your local club and to score on big nights like this makes me feel very proud.
“It was a big result, especially after going 1-0 down. We were all probably thinking that we could go under, but we dug in and showed great character to come back to win 2-1.”
Sutjeska led through an early Kojasevic strike, but Linfield hit back with a close range Millar finish seven minutes before the break after Shayne Lavery’s initial shot was parried.
Millar won it with a stunning goal in the 64th minute, latching onto a through ball from the classy Bastien Hery to feather an angled chip over the advancing keeper.
“It was an inch perfect pass from Bastien - but you’re going to get that from him because he’s a quality player,” said Millar.
“I had a look up and saw the keeper off his line. He was rushing out so I had to dink him because I couldn’t really put it anywhere else.
“For the first one, I knew Shayne was going to shoot across goal and the manager has always told me to gamble. It was an amazing feeling when it went in.”
While Linfield are in a strong position heading into Tuesday’s return leg at Windsor, Millar insists David Healy’s men still have much to do to reach the next round.
“We’re only halfway there and all the boys know that,” he said. “We know we have to push on next week in the second leg.”
Linfield’s next game is a home league fixture with Institute on the opening day of the new Danske Bank Premiership season this Saturday.
“That’s where our main focus lies now,” said Millar. “We want to get off to a good start in the league and put a marker down for the season going forward.
“We’ve got important games coming up, but we’ve got an unbelievable squad and a mixture of players the manager can call upon.”
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