Linfield boss David Healy is determined not to hear or entertain the phrase ‘squeaky bum time’ as the title race threatens to go down to the wire.
Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Larne coupled with a Coleraine win at Crusaders saw the gap at the top reduced to five points with two games to play.
It’s still in Linfield’s hands who can seal the deal with a win or draw in their next league outing – a top two clash with Oran Kearney’s Bannsiders at the Showgrounds on May 25.
The final round of fixtures comes four days later when Linfield travel to Cliftonville, the scene of their last day, title-clinching heroics in 2017, while Coleraine visit Larne.
“We have a chance of turning next Tuesday’s game against Coleraine into a league decider, so we should be excited by that challenge,” said Healy.
“There’ll be pressure, but there’s always pressure at this club. That’s why we’re here, to play in big games and chase major trophies.
“It’s in our hands and if we go to Coleraine and put in a performance, then hopefully we’ll do enough to get the result we need.”
Before returning to league action on May 25, Linfield face Ballymena United in an Irish Cup semi-final at Mourneview Park tomorrow night.
“We have to sharpen our focus now for the Irish Cup,” said Healy. “The opportunity is there to play in a cup final, so that’s our main focus now.”
