IPSWICH TOWN: David Healy is a legend in his native Northern Ireland. He has now set his sights on becoming a hero to Blues fans.

Elvin King

By ELVIN KING

elvin.king@eveningstar.co.uk

IPSWICH TOWN: David Healy is a legend in his native Northern Ireland. He has now set his sights on becoming a hero to Blues fans.

The 30-year-old striker is still searching for his first goal after joining Town on loan from Sunderland for the rest of the season.

But he is sure it will come - and soon.

His 35 goals are far and away the most scored by a Northern Ireland player in the country's history and has earned him cult status in Belfast and surrounding area.

“Fans love goal-scorers and they love heroes,” said Healy.

“Moving to Ipswich has given me a great opportunity to play regular first team football again.

“Hopefully along with Daryl Murphy we can help lift the club up the table and that we can be the ones who score those goals.”

Murphy joined Ipswich at the same time as Healy - in the final hours before the January window closed.

The Republic of Ireland international has already found the net a couple of times, and Healy is poised to get his new 'career' off the ground.

The man with 75 full caps, who has previously turned out for Manchester United, Port Vale, Preston Norwich City, Leeds and Fulham, went on: “I want to add goals to the team.

“All strikers enjoy playing and scoring goals.

“It's about confidence. If you're playing and scoring your confidence goes through the roof.”

A big admirer of his ex-Northern Ireland team mate and former Ipswich manager Jim Magilton, Healy is happy to be working with Roy Keane.

“I played with him at Manchester United, and under him at Sunderland,” added Healy.

“We know each other and he's taken a chance by bringing Daryl and myself down here.

“We know what makes him tick and, more importantly, what doesn't make him tick.

“He wants the best for himself, his players and his club and he's his own biggest critic.

“He dragged Sunderland from the bottom of the Championship to become an established Premier League club.

“Now he's at Ipswich for the same challenge.”

Healy also knows Grant Leadbitter and Carlos Edwards, from Sunderland, Northern Ireland team-mate Gareth McAuley and Liam Rosenior from Fulham.

“It's never easy being in a hotel and away from home, but as a footballer you get used to it,” he added.

“I only had to train with the players for one day to see how much talent there is in this squad.”