Healy will carry on scoring, says Clarke

Colin Clarke has backed David Healy to carry on scoring for Northern Ireland after the Preston striker broke his goals record.

Healy, 24, broke Clarke’s 11-year-old record when he scored his 13th and 14th goals in the tour victory against Trinidad and Tobago.

Now Clarke, coaching Dallas Burn in the US, is tipping his fellow countryman to go on and reach a target which will be difficult for others to attain.

“As he is still young he could play for another 10 years and set a target that might be out of reach," said Clarke.

“When he scores it doesn’t just give him confidence, it gives the team confidence as well.

“If you are not scoring you are not going to win too many games. It is wonderful that Northern Ireland have regained that winning mentality.

“They’ve had a horrible time the last two years but things are looking a lot brighter. Without a doubt that is down to confidence.”

Clarke turned to coaching and moved to America after winning 38 caps during a seven-year spell up until 1993.