Linfield focused on another successful campaign despite the departure of one of last season’s standout performers
Kirk Millar says previous experience will help Linfield cope with the loss of Joel Cooper next season.
Cooper played a key role as the Blues reclaimed the league title before he completed a switch to big spending Coleraine.
But Millar insists the loss of a star player is not a new thing the champions have had to deal with and they will deal it as they always do
“We’re used to losing high quality players,” said the experienced winger. “We probably lose one or two players every summer that you’d rather keep.
“In my time, I can remember the likes of Andy Waterworth, Shayne Lavery, Paul Smyth and Trai Hume all leaving. Quality players.
“But you deal with it as a team and move forward together. At Linfield, whenever someone leaves a new player will come in and take their place who is just as good. We just keep moving forward.”
After a two-year absence the Gibson Cup is back in the Windsor Park trophy cabinet again but Millar says all their focus is on the coming season.
“The truth is when you play for Linfield you’re expected to win the league title every season, or at the very least be right there competing at the end,” he said.
“We’re the champions, but last season is over. There’s no point going on about winning the league last year now, because you start from scratch at the start of each season. It doesn’t matter what you did last season.
“When you put that shirt on for the first pre-season friendly, it’s back to business.”
The countdown is on for the new campaign with Friday night’s Charity Shield meeting against Dungannon Swifts the perfect warm-up for the Blues’ Champions League clash with Shelbourne.
“I think this is the first Charity Shield I’ve played in,” said Millar. “The last time Linfield were involved, I was injured, so I’m looking forward to it. It’s something a bit different.
“It’s good to get a competitive match in before playing in Europe. It’s also good to get a look at Dungannon because we’ve got them on the first day of the league season a few weeks later.
“You can do as much running and play as many friendlies as you like in pre-season but real games is what gets you fit, so those Charity Shield match will help both clubs.
“Dungannon are a good footballing side who keep the ball well and play good football. They’re a team that does well at Windsor Park, as we saw in the Irish Cup Final, so they’ll not be scared to come here and play their normal game.
“They’re young, hungry and now they’ve had a taste of success they will want even more. In Rodney McAree they have a brilliant coach. He likes to get the ball ticking, which is good to see.
“Fair play to them for winning the Irish Cup, I don’t think anyone predicted that at the start of the season. But all players in this league now exactly how good Dungannon are, because we see them up close in the league.”
