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Gareth Fullerton

David Healy makes Conor McMenamin quip as he weighs up interest in winger

Linfield boss David Healy joked that he "wouldn't mind" seeing Conor McMenamin leave Glentoran this summer - so he doesn't have to face the winger in the Irish Premiership.

McMenamin impressed in a late cameo for Northern Ireland against Kazakhstan on Monday night.

He came close to scoring shortly after coming on as a second half substitute, only to be denied by Igor Shatskiy who tipped away the Glens winger's rasping left-foot strike.

Read more: John Herron to Cliftonville off as midfielder's new club is confirmed

McMenamin continues to be linked with a move across the water this summer, with a number of clubs in England and Scotland monitoring the 27-year-old's situation at the Oval.

And Linfield boss Healy believes McMenamin's performance will have raised plenty of interest.

"He was only on the pitch 60-90 seconds and getting balls in the box. He is a left-footed player playing on the right, and the thinking behind it would to get a cross/shot coming in, something to distract the goalkeeper," Healy told Viaplay Sports.

Linfield manager David Healy (INPHO/Declan Roughan)

"Something to distract the defenders, and maybe someone can nip in and score the goal. I thought Conor was good coming on the other night against Denmark, too.

"There is a lot of talk about Conor maybe moving on from Glentoran. As the Linfield manager, I wouldn't mind that...with the ability and quality that he has.

"Someone seeing that tonight might be thinking it is time for Conor to be given the opportunity at a better level across the water."

Former Motherwell and Northern Ireland defender Stephen Craigan believes McMenamin's age might put off some clubs.

But he hopes the winger gets his chance across the water, "for the sake" of Northern Ireland football.

He said: "There is interest in Scotland. It is a hard one because he is at the age of 27 or 28.

"There is no resale value in him. You won't move him on again.

"He has been full-time for about 18 months with Glentoran so you're wondering is it a risk worth taking. Will he hit the ground running?

"But when you watch the Irish League he is the one player who stands out. You think he could easily make the step.

"What I like is he doesn't change his game at international level. He is an attacking player who wants to take people on, and hopefully for his and Northern Ireland's sake he gets a chance across the water and becomes a regular international."

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