Ex Rangers man performs dramatic managerial U-turn to leave SPFL club in limbo after having 'head turned'

Rangers title-winning former striker David Healy has knocked back an approach from Raith Rovers to take over a Stark’s Park after agreeing to extend his contract with NIFL Premiership side Linfield.

The Scottish Championship outfit had made an ambitious move to speak to Northern Ireland’s record goalscorer in the hope of persuading him to fill their vacant managerial post last week, but have now suffered a major blow in their hunt for a new boss after the Fifers thought they’d got their man.

Rovers were reportedly ‘confident’ that they had done enough to lure Healy - who has family in Scotland - back across the Irish Sea to replace Ian Murray, who was sacked earlier this month after just ONE game into the new season. It’s understood he applied for the role and that personal terms has been agreed between all parties. However, after a weekend of showdown talks with his current club Linfield, the 45-year-old has decided to remain at Windsor Park after taking up the offer of a new, improved deal.

With his previous contract due to expire next summer, it was believed that Healy - who spent a season at Ibrox towards the latter stages of his playing career during the 2011/12 campaign - was keen to try his luck in Scotland after being linked with previous management jobs. But his decision to reject the chance to fill the Rovers hot seat will come as a serious setback to the second tier club as they prepare to return to the drawing board.

It the latest dead end Raith have hit in their pursuit of a new manager after Aberdeen first-team coach Peter Leven recently turned down the post. They were also refused permission to speak to St Mirren No.2 Diarmuid O’Carroll earlier this summer, with director of football John Potter currently placed in temporary charge of first-team affairs. Having fought hard to keep hold of their five-time title-winning boss, Linfield announced that Healy had put pen to paper on fresh terms on Monday evening, Commenting on his decision to stay put, Healy said: “I am pleased that the club was prepared to extend my contact at Linfield and I am thankful to the board for the support they have given me. Everyone knows that I am passionate about this club and I am totally focused on achieving further success during the remainder of my contract. We have made a solid start to the season and I am delighted to continue working with this squad of players who share my determination to bring further success to the club.”

Linfield chairman Roy McGivern expressed his delight at fending off Rovers' interest. He added. “We are delighted that David has committed to the club for a further year and would commend him for the loyalty he has shown to the club. We are now totally focused on bringing further success to the club and believe that retaining David’s services as manager is key to achieving that.

“I trust that this will put an end to the recent speculation about David’s future at the club and we now look ahead to our next fixture against Portadown on Friday night with David hopefully leading us to three points to maintain our excellent start to the season. The target this season is to bring the Gibson Cup back to Windsor Park and I know that our loyal supporters will fully get behind the manager and the team to help us achieve that aim.”