Healy wants to stay at Fulham

David Healy is determined to make his mark in the Premier League after Fulham secured their top-flight status on the final day of the season.

The Northern Ireland striker insists he is happy to fight for his place in the team.

Healy, 28, arrived in the summer from Leeds for a reported £1.5m but has struggled to hold down a regular spot and sat out the crucial 1-0 victory against Portsmouth on Sunday.

He said: “Whether we stayed up or went down, I would have been committed to the club.

“They spent money to bring me here and gave me the opportunity to play in the Premier League.

“My family have moved down as well and the kids are in school, so we are settled. It is all a learning curve.

“I want to help bring success to Fulham. Finishing in the top half of the table and having a good cup run has to be our ambition.”

Healy reserved special praise for Danny Murphy after his crucial winner at Portsmouth, which capped an impressive display by the former England, Tottenham and Liverpool midfielder.

Healy, who began his career at Manchester United, said: “Danny is not too shy to tell me he has scored three winners at Old Trafford.

“He is a big-game player and was in the right place at the right time on Sunday.

“Danny will always be remembered by Fulham fans as the player who kept the team in the Premier League.

“I am delighted for him and everyone at the club as we proved all our critics wrong.”

Healy was honoured by the Northern Ireland Football Writers’ Association at their annual dinner and named Harp International Personality of the season.

He also received a special award from the FWA after scoring a record 13 goals in the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.

The remaining survivors of the 1958 World Cup team – Northern Ireland reached the quarter-finals – were guests at the function in Belfast, and Healy was thrilled to be in their company.

He said: “Not only are they legends, they are also great people and I am proud to be associated with them.

“The reaction of those at the dinner shows how good that 1958 team must have been.”