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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Jack Haugh

Coyle's delight after youngster Healy scores on full senior debut

THERE’S something rather apt about a young attacker bursting onto the scene under Owen Coyle’s watch. Four decades on from when he did just that at Dumbarton, Aaron Healy was doing the same for Queen’s Park. 

The 20-year-old - signed only in January from sixth tier Arthurlie - scored his first senior goal on his first senior start for the Spiders. 

It was the dream full debut for the former Celtic kid, who also spent time with St Mirren before dropping to the once Junior club, and his manager couldn’t hide his delight. 

The National: Aaron Healy is mobbed by his teammates after scoring his first Queen's Park goal Aaron Healy is mobbed by his teammates after scoring his first Queen's Park goal (Image: SNS)

“I was so pleased for him,” Coyle said. “This is a kid who was playing in the sixth tier of Scottish football but we will give people a chance. We have no fear if we think they are good enough. We want creative, exciting players - and he is that.

“I thought he was a wee bit nervous at the start of the game and I was shouting over to him to relax. The longer the game went, the more he grew into it. You could see his confidence and his quality. 

“He’s a throwback player. In the final third, he’ll go at people and take them on. What he needs to learn is the other side of the game. 

“We will teach him that. These things take time and he’s so exciting. He’s such a lovely kid and I am so pleased for him to get the goal as he has something tangible for his debut.” 

The 4-1 romp of Accies - which also saw Jack Thomson and Connor Shields finding the back of the net - kept Queen’s Park in pole position for the Championship title, bringing an end to their mini-rut of two games without a win. 

Coyle added: “We knew we were going to have to play well to win the game and we did. We won it with plenty in hand.”

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