DOUBTERS SPUR ME ON; INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY: N IRELAND v HUNGARY, WINDSOR PARK, 7.45 Healy: I know media spotlight is on me now... but criticism inspires me.

Byline: BY DARREN FULLERTON

DAVID Healy freely admits he is under pressure to add further chapters to his bewitching tale of football folklore in an international shirt.

The Northern Ireland striker also concedes his previous feats of 35 goals in 69 internationals and a record-breaking, 13-goal haul in the Euro 2008 qualifiers have shunted him under an unforgiving media spotlight.

But the 29-year-old yesterday resolved to embrace the press inquest and continue proving the doubters wrong.

In a revealing interview at the launch of his DVD - David Healy The Talisman - the Sunderland striker said: "I do feel under more pressure now to score goals in a Northern Ireland shirt.

"Before last month's qualifier against San Marino, I had gone a handful of games without a goal and a lot was made of it in the media. It was a 'drought' and so on.

"I suppose, if I go two or three games without a goal now, some people will say 'maybe he's lost it' or 'maybe he's finished'.

"You do feel added pressure so I was very pleased to score."

When asked if he was tempted to direct a derisory wave at the press box high above him in Windsor Park's South Stand following his strike against San Marino, Healy chuckled.

"Well, I wouldn't quite say I was going to wave at you! No, reporters are paid to write for newspapers and they have a job to do," he said.

"I'm on the pitch and I know I'm there to be shot at. I read English papers every day so I know the score. If Wayne Rooney goes 90 minutes without a goal, there's a media outcry.

"Reporters reflect what people are thinking. It does disappoint sometimes, but when I look back at it, the doubt and criticism only spurs me on to do better. It inspires me to score more goals."

Healy says the humiliation he felt at the hands of English fans spurred him on to gift Northern Ireland one of its greatest sporting moments and his "favourite goal" in a green shirt.

Few need reminding of the date and scoreline... September 7, 2005: Northern Ireland 1, England 0.

"My favourite goal is that one," said Healy. "We hadn't beaten England for 70-odd years in Belfast, so that moment was very special.

"It was also nice to give them one back. The England fans chanted 'are you Scotland in disguise' when they beat us 4-0 at Old Trafford a few months earlier. That hurt. So it was nice to beat them and hear the Northern Ireland fans chant 'are you Scotland in disguise'."

Healy holds the clamour and manic scenes of the immediate aftermath of his winner like a cherished family heirloom.

The memory still stirs his mind.

"I thought I was offside, but then I saw Ashley Cole closing in," he said. "I knew Cole would have checked the linesman's flag, so the fact he was playing on told me all I needed to know.

"I just hit it as hard as I could. To look up and see it go in was mad.

"I'm not sure what went through my head at that moment. I just recall running and the first person to grab me was Keith (Gillespie).

"I looked up at the Kop and I was stunned by the scene. There were flares going off and for a second it looked as if there was an electric current going through the crowd.

It was just a magical moment."

Healy admits he is often asked why he has rarely transferred his international form - a goal every two games - into league football.

Certainly, the Killyleagh man's recent club career, at Fulham and present club Sunderland, has been marred by long periods on the bench and a lack of first team opportunities.

"I'm sure Roy Keane, Roy Hodgson and Dennis Wise would like to know the answer to that question," he replied. "I don't know. People say it's because international football has a slower build-up and that I get more time on the ball.

"But I've played in the hurly-burly of the Championship and I remember scoring 44 goals in 120 games at Preston which isn't bad."

Does Healy view this evening's friendly with Hungary - his first 90 minutes of senior action since last month's 4-0 win with the Irish over San Marino - as a chance to impress Black Cats boss Keane?

"It's a chance for me to remind myself what I can do," he replied.

"The game's on Sky so maybe the manager will keep an eye. I've only played a couple of reserve games in recent weeks so I'm looking forward to this run-out."

Perhaps Healy should post his new DVD to Keane for Christmas.

"I enjoyed doing the DVD," said Healy. "It was nice to reminisce about my international career."

BBC's Jackie Fullerton, who interviewed Healy for the 90 minute production, said: "David is a reluctant hero but it was a no brainer getting him to do this DVD."

DAVID HEALY THE TALISMAN is priced pounds 16.99 and is on sale now. Interviewer: Jackie Fullerton. Producer: Karen Bowen.

"I knew I wasn't offside because Cole was closing in. I just hit it as hard as I could.

I looked up at The Kop and I was stunned by the scenes. There were flares going off and for a split second it looked as if there was an electric current going through the crowd."

- HEALY ON 'THAT' GOAL AGAINST ENGLAND IN 2005

"Was I tempted to wave at the press box after the San Marino goal? Well, I know I'm under pressure to score now. If I go three games without a goal, people will say 'he's lost it, he's finished'..."

- HEALY ON ENDING HIS RECENT SO-CALLED FOUR-GAME 'DROUGHT'

CAPTION(S):

ICONIC IMAGE Healy scores his "favourite goal" in victory over England; HEAL SELL YOU A DVD... David Healy with his DVD which captures the highs and lows of his international career, favourite goals, family life and record-breaking exploits in the Euro 08 qualifiers