Linfield new boy Chris McKee says he is living the dream pulling on a Blues shirt at Windsor Park.
The 19-year-old may have played only eight times for the reigning Danske Bank Premiership champions since making a loan move from Rangers last month, but he’s already steeped in club tradition.
David Healy’s boys returned to the top of the table following Saturday's hard-fought 1-0 win over Portadown at Windsor, with McKee on hand to help separate the teams.
Ports defender Michael Ruddy may have got the last touch, but McKee celebrated a key moment that propelled the champions above Glentoran on goal difference at the league summit.
"It's definitely my goal - I'm claiming it," he smiled.
“I grew up as a Linfield supporter and there is nothing better than putting the ball in the net for this great club and I was just happy to play my part and get the winner."
On helping return Linfield to the top of the Danske Bank Premiership with 10 league games left, McKee said: "It’s nice to be top of the League again, that’s where this club belongs and need to be.
"But now that we are back there, we just want to push on and go on and win that League title.
“We had a lot of possession against Portadown and I suppose the only criticism would be that we never scored more and killed off the game.
“But sometimes you have got to grind out wins and I think we did that well.
"It could be an important three points come the end of the season. I’ve no doubt the goals will come. We just take every game as it comes to see where it takes us.”
If McKee’s Linfield career is only kicking off he doffed his cap to skipper Jamie Mulgrew who made his 661 st appearance in blue, moving him into second place in the club’s all-time appearance record, one ahead of the legendary Tommy Dickson.
“It’s an amazing feat for Jamie,” said McKee. “I’ve known him for a long time, he’s been at the club for years and he is a top professional.
“He’s still going strong and he deserved all the plaudits that come his way. He’s been a big influence on me, along with the other senior pros at the club, Jimmy (Callacher), Shieldsie (Chris Shields) and the rest.
"There is still a more to come from Jamie.”
Even though the Ports slumped to their 18 th loss of the league campaign, new boss Paul Doolan was far from despondent.
"They started well and were particularly dominant in the opening 25 minutes, but I thought we gave as good as we got in the second half," he said.
“Our season will not be defined on results at Windsor Park or any of the top teams.”
