Robbie McDaid programme article
Posted : 10th September 2022
He’s had to be patient, but Linfield forward Robbie McDaid opened his account for the Blues in last week’s 4-0 win over Ballymena United at the Showgrounds and the relieved frontman spoke to ‘Look at Linfield’ to share his delight.
“I think as a striker, a wee bit of luck is overlooked at times. I’d been getting myself into good areas and onto the end of things but the ball just wasn’t really falling my way. For your first goal, there probably is a mental block where you think it’s never going to come for you. I had to believe that if I kept working hard and getting into the box, it would come. I’ve been working extremely hard on my finishing in training and thankfully, it came to fruition last week. I was delighted – it’s been a long time coming.
“The gaffer has been first class with me. He doesn’t really put much pressure on me – he lets me get on with it because I’m 25 years of age now, I’m experienced and I know what’s expected of a number nine. He’s been brilliant with me by keeping faith in me and continuing to pick me. I was pleased to repay him last week and going forward, I want to keep doing that. I’m hoping last week’s goal was the first of many for me in a Linfield shirt.
“It was a baptism of fire at the start because I came into the European campaign without kicking a ball for the previous three months or so. It was difficult to adjust to that and I had to work hard on the fitness side of things. I feel sharp now and I knew that getting my fitness up was part of the puzzle to score goals. With the great deliveries that my teammates provide, it’s up to me to take advantage and put the ball into the net.”
The 25-year-old from Omagh signed for the Blues on July 1 following the expiry of his Glentoran contract and now he’s looking forward to today’s meeting with Glenavon – the club where his senior career started as a teenager.
“Sometimes when you score a goal, they can come in couples and follow in quick succession, so I hope that’ll be the case. It’ll be a difficult game against a good Glenavon team with a lot of experience. As a team, we need to approach it with confidence. We want to build some momentum. Going into Europe we had a really good record at home and that remains the case, so it’s important to keep it going now with the fans out to support us and drive us on. The fans were great in Europe especially and we want to bring the feel-good factor back to Windsor after that disappointing week.
“We had a tough ten days or so after losing out in Europe and then losing to Carrick Rangers on the back of it. I think it was important for us as a group and as a club to bounce back at Ballymena last week. We started that process of moving on last week by putting in a good performance at Ballymena with four good goals. The disappointment was tough but you have to move on quickly in football, otherwise you’ll be caught out and find yourself in a position you don’t want to be in. We were experienced enough as a group of players to draw a line in the sand and move on. What’s done is done and it’s now about the bread and butter which is the Irish League.”
Let’s hope it is the first of many goals in the Linfield shirt for Robbie McDaid. Everyone associated with the Club will wish Robbie every success for his Linfield career.