Ambition to succeed never wanes for Jeffrey

Having become a master at delivering the top prize, nine since he took over in 1997 and last season making it three in a row, his ambition to succeed never wanes.

“I am as hungry for success as ever,” said Jeffrey. “I could not do this job if I did not have that desire in my heart. It is a passion to continue to bring honour to this great club.

“I have always said I have a great team behind me and they have been a great support over the years and are all part of what we have achieved.

“Now we start all over again and everyone starts with a clean slate so it is all to play for. The title is the main target as always and I look foward to that challenge with nervous anticipation. It is not with fear, but more of excitement of another campaign.

“Just because we have won a lot of trophies in recent times I never take anything for granted. The minute you think you are above or better than the rest then you might as well give up.

“Our pre-season has been very good. We have had four highly competitive games against quality opposition in Europe which is something we have not had for a while.

“The challenge we face will come from all of the teams, not just those at the top, but all the way down. You never, ever can expect an easy game as any team on their day can get a result.

“Like the players I am bursting to hear the whistle on Saturday at Ballymena, a tough place to begin our season. The pressures do not get any greater for me, the pressure to deliver started on day one, but each time you win or bring more success to the club then the bar is raised to keep on doing that.

“I have built several squads over the years and felt it was always important to build on strength and try and keep improving the squad when the opportunity came along. Here we go again. I am proud and privileged to be manager of this club and will do all I can to bring more trophies here.

Jeffrey knows it will be a tough opener for his team at The Showgrounds.

“Ballymena has always been a tough venue for us over the years and I expect it to be just the same on Saturday,” said Jeffrey.

“I see they have had a great pre-season, unbeaten, so they will be confident of pushing us all the way.”

Missing from the Linfield squad will be Aaron Burns who will remain out of the team until his contract is sorted out. Burns, who has not played since February because of an inury, was offered a new deal in April by the Blues.

Linfield had hoped to seal the deal this week but Burns has yet to sign.