Never plain sailing for Rangers fan David Healy

DAVID HEALY was in the Celtic Park stand in October as Rangers took first blood in the season's Old Firm head to heads. Now the new signing is looking forward to playing a more influential role as he tries to fill the boots of Kenny Miller, who scored a double that day.

A Rangers fan born and bred, the 31 year-old has been linked with a move to the club countless times before but finally the dream has come true and with at least four Glasgow derbies to look forward to between now and the end of the season, he is desperate to get one under his belt as quickly as possible.

"It's always something I have always wanted to happen," said the 84-times capped Northern Ireland international. "I know Kyle (Lafferty] and Davo (Steve Davis] and I always used to speak to them about what it is like to play here. I used to come to the games - not just in the past few years - but on the boat with my dad when I was 8-14.

"I know what it means to play for this club and I know what it means to the people when they lose games and you have to go back on that boat. It's a once in a lifetime chance."

As a teenager he had his photo taken with Ally McCoist on one of his many pilgrimages to Govan and as he plied his trade in the English leagues he had no qualms about his dad Cliff spurning his son's games to head to Ibrox to support Rangers instead.

"My mum would come and watch me. He would go to Glasgow on the boat," he says with more pride than disappointment. His father still does, and will be there tonight, except now he will be able to combine football and family loyalties.

"My dad is chuffed to bits. He still comes whenever he can, probably on average once a month. He used to take me to games when I was young. When I used to go there was no Seacat or whatever. It was the old boat and it used to take about three hours then plus the trip up to Glasgow. We used to be picked up by a supporters' bus in Belfast. It would be about six in the morning and get back in the early hours the next day.

"I remember the old Skol Cup final against Aberdeen. I think it was the 3-3 one when they won a penalties. The boat back home was cancelled and we had to stay over somewhere near Stranraer. We got back sometime at silly o'clock the next day."

But it's the Old Firm clashes that stand out. "The worst was the Old Firm final when Rangers were going for the treble and Joe Miller scored in the 1989 Scottish Cup final.

"I always remember that the Rangers fans would not leave.The treble did not happen but we stayed behind to clap them off the pitch."

The first opportunity to experience that first hand comes on Sunday in the Scottish Cup and Healy is desperate to be involved.

"That is up to the manager. I could probably do with a game here or there. But as a striker you want to play. There is only one way for strikers to get into the team.

"But I have had a look through the fixture list and obviously we do play Celtic in the final and we have got them this weekend but I am looking at other fixtures.

"We have got a big game against Hearts which for me is the main thing. It's all about out the league, that's the bread and butter and the cup comes after that. Hearts are a good side and they beat Rangers a couple of weeks ago.

"I am looking forward to getting involved but it is not about me. There are three or four others strikers here and I will knuckle down and any opportunity I get on the pitch I look forward to it."