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Steven Crawford

Daniel Finlayson feels right at home at Linfield as he targets trophy success

Daniel Finlayson feels Linfield is the perfect match for him.

The defender joined the Blues on loan from St Mirren in the summer with the intention of winning trophies.

Finlayson has the opportunity to do just that when Linfield take on Coleraine in Sunday's BetMcLean League Cup final.

Read more: McCann urges Glens to go goal hunting against Glenavon

That's the focus for the former Northern Ireland Under-21 star as he puts any decision on his future back until the season is over.

"I've always known Linfield for being a massive club," said Finlayson.

"I'm looking to win things in my career and looking for places where you're striving to be the best and trying to get as much out of my career as I can. I definitely feel that it matches my ambition.

"Everyone knows the size of Linfield, the fan base. You look at the stadium outside - it's massive. For a young player it's where you want to be and it has been brilliant.

"It's the business end of the season now and you want to be turning results into trophies. We have the chance to do that. The expectation here is to win, everyone knows that - it's no secret, so hopefully we can do that.

"There's only nine or ten games left of the season and that's all I'm focusing on right now. In my head all I'm thinking about is the next two trophies which are the league and league cup.

"Anything else other than that isn't up to me or anyone at the moment, it's just seeing what happens."

St Mirren boss Stephen Robinson was key in Finlayson's move to Windsor Park, and he is full of respect for the Northern Irish man.

"I dealt with Stephen at the start of the season when sorting out this Linfield deal and he was brilliant in letting me go and playing football. Nothing but respect," he said.

"There have been people contacting me from St Mirren but I'm just focused on Linfield at the moment. St Mirren are doing well as well at the minute so it's all good.

"I've enjoyed my time here - it has been brilliant. I feel like this is the most consistent I've been in my career but still feel I have lots more to offer and this is only me getting started.

"I can definitely add more goals to my game. That's my own biggest criticism - I should probably be on five or six this season. I put a lot of pressure on myself to be consistent this season because it was a big year for me. The fans have been brilliant with me since I came in and they and the manager have given me confidence.

"It has been really good in the Irish League. You come up against a lot of good young wingers in this league and it has been tough.

"There are no easy games in this league. It's really physical, technically a lot of boys who can move the ball well and it's not just a 'kick it long' league. If you look at the top-six they are really well set up teams and that's who you want to play against."

Finlayson knows it will be another tough test against Coleraine on Sunday especially given the results between the sides already this season.

"Two out of the three have been goalless draws but that just shows how good the two teams are defensively," he said.

"It was similar the other day. I think we deserved to win the game because we had chances other than that to win.

"It'll be something similar on the 12th with two teams hard to break down and a goal or two can win it, and I'm confident it's going to be us."

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