David Healy was a hero of mine and now I can call him a mate as we share a mural in our hometown says Trevor Carson
TREVOR CARSON is depicted on a mural alongside David Healy.
But being able to class his hero as a friend means just as much to him.
As a kid, new St Mirren keeper Carson always looked up to Northern Ireland’s record goalscorer.
Even more so when Healy got him signed goalie gloves from his idol Peter Schmeichel.
Carson waited for more than a decade to be added to the mural in Killyleagh alongside Healy, and fellow international stars Hugh Henry Davey and Terry Cochrane.
The old friends will do battle tomorrow, when Healy’s Linfield side take on Carson and his Buddies team-mates in a friendly at Windsor Park.
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Healy and the stadium hold plenty of special memories for Carson, as that’s where he made his international debut against South Korea four years ago.
The 34-year-old said: “David is from the same village as me and we share the same mural on a wall in Killyleagh.
“He was a hero of mine growing up, now I get to call him a friend! He’s a legend and always has been.
“When I was young, Peter Schmeichel was my idol and David used to bring me signed gloves from him when he was at Manchester United. I treasured them.
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“I got to share a dressing room with him for Northern Ireland, Bury and Sunderland and then we became friends.
“I’m delighted to see him doing so well, and I’m looking forward to catching up.
“Windsor Park is a special place for me as well.
“I went there as a kid to watch Northern Ireland. So to go back to
Windsor any time is special and I can’t wait for it.
“The game against South Korea in 2018 is the pinnacle of my career, and it’s something no one can take away from me.
“It’s probably sweeter that it happened when I turned 30, so I waited a long time to do it.
“I would have loved it earlier, and at times I thought it had passed me by.
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“But to do it at Windsor in front of 20 of my family was amazing, and something that will live with me forever.
“When I was at Motherwell, we came here a few years ago. I’d hoped to get on, but the manager didn’t give me a minute! I wasn’t too happy and I hope it’s different this time.”
Carson made his Buddies bow in Monday’s 3-0 win over Crusaders, and produced a fine one-handed save in the first half to preserve his clean sheet.
He knows he has big boots to fill after Jak Alnwick left Paisley for Cardiff.
And he revealed the departing No 1 gave him the inside track on Saints because he’s the little brother of Carson’s best pal.
He added: “I have known Jak since he was in his teens and his brother Ben is one of my best mates.
“We worked together at Sunderland, so I have known Jak since he was a kid.
“I spoke to him at length before coming here. He had his move lined up, and there were whispers that I might be coming to St Mirren.
“Jak spoke highly of the club, the goalie coach, the lads and the set-up. He’s got a move to a Championship club in England and upped his wages, so he has done something right here.
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“I have had tough acts to follow throughout my career. At Motherwell, they had Darren Randolph and John Ruddy before me.
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“At Dundee United, it was Benji Siegrist. I don’t think too much about who I’m replacing, but I back myself to produce for the club.”
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