Mark Haughey highlights key to Joel Cooper returning to top form

Mark Haughey believes Irish League fans will see the best of Joel Cooper next season as the winger looks to galvanise his career.

The 26-year-old is back in the Irish League after signing a three-year deal with Premiership champions Linfield.

Cooper left Oxford United by mutual consent earlier this month, ending a frustrating spell across the water which was punctuated by a loan spell with the Blues and another brief loan period with Port Vale.

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Glenavon defender Haughey witnessed Cooper in his prime when the pair both played for Linfield, helping David Healy's side win back-to-back league titles prior to the winger's move to Oxford.

Cooper was also included in Ian Baraclough's Northern Ireland squad in August 2020, but five months later he was returning to Belfast in a loan deal with the Blues.

Haughey says being back home on familiar ground, and around family and friends, will galvanise Cooper's career.

And he believes those home comforts will bring out the best in the former Glenavon winger.

"It is a super signing for Linfield," Haughey said.

"I obviously played with Joel at Linfield before and I know what he is capable of. He will bring that direct threat to Linfield's attack next season.

"He knows the league himself so it won't be anything new to him. He knows what the league is about and how to handle himself.

"And with Linfield losing a couple of loan players after last season, David (Healy) was probably looking to bring more faces in and improve his squad. And Joel is a player who does just that.

"I think initially he went across the water and then came back on loan to Linfield. Now he is back again.

"It didn't really work out for him