Jimmy Callacher programme article
Posted : 21st April 2018
Linfield defender Jimmy Callacher, who joined the club from Glentoran in January 2014, told 'Look at Linfield' that he was glad to get his future sorted after the defender penned a three-year contract extension in the past few weeks.
'I’m really glad it’s been sorted. For the first time in my career, it was a decision I had to make on behalf of my family and what’s best for us. I have two young kids in the house and I find it hard at times not seeing them a lot, with work and football commitments, but I knew that if I had have left Linfield now, I would have always thought 'what if?'. When I spoke with family and friends along with the manager, I always believed Linfield was still the best place for me to play football."
When asked whether the length of the contract showed faith in him, he felt it works well, as he believes he's coming into his peak years as a player.
"I feel it works both ways and I’m happy with the 3 years. It's also something at this point in my career that I wanted, as I feel I’m now coming into my best years and the security of 3 years is great for myself."
Jimmy, a lifelong Blue man from the 'Village', is three appearances off the 150 landmark with the Blues and he says it will be a proud moment, whenever it comes around.
"150 Linfield appearances will be a nice feeling and something I will be proud of, when it comes around."
With two home matches left to finish the league campaign, Jimmy is hoping for a strong finish to a tough season to get into Europe.
"This season we want to finish up the table as high as possible and now that can only be 3rd unfortunately, so we will push ahead and try pick up maximum points over the next few games and see where that takes us."
Whilst the 26 year-old missed Linfield’s historic Champions League tie with Celtic last year, he said knowing in advance that he'd be out of the game made it easier to take.
"Missing the Celtic games was tough but it was something I knew was going to happen from around February time, as I was going for a scan at the end of the season with the potential of resting more over pre-season, as I had been playing through injury from around February 2017. Regardless of who we played, I knew pre-season was going to be too early for me to be back playing. So, that made it a bit easier to take. I went over to Parkhead with my dad and brothers and nephews which was a great occasion and we obviously want to be back on the European stage again over the summer months."
Everyone connected with Linfield will no doubt congratulate Jimmy on his new contract and wish the defender every success, as he and his teammates aim to secure European football at Windsor Park at the start of next season.