MAYBE Wayne Rooney should seek some advice from David Healy about the secret of scoring at international level. While Rooney continues to flounder for England, Healy gets better and better for Northern Ireland.

The Leeds United striker’s 24th goal in 54 international appearances was enough to see off a disappointing Latvia team at Windsor Park last night and ensure that his country will resume their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign, away to Liechtenstein, in the new year with every hope of reaching their first finals of a leading tournament since the 1986 World Cup.

Tied on seven points for joint second with Denmark in group F, Northern Ireland’s metamorphosis under Lawrie Sanchez continues apace, but the fans are just as indebted to Healy, who played despite a migraine, as the manager they worship.

He may not be deemed good enough for the present crop of Barclays Premiership managers, but Healy seems to have no problem unlocking international defences. Latvia’s was not the best, but take nothing away from Northern Ireland. This was as composed and assured a performance as they have produced in years.

“David is an exemplary professional,” Sanchez said. “He will score at any level he plays. Play him at the highest level and he wouldn’t be found out.”

The hosts were grateful when Jonny Evans cleared the ball off the line in the 72nd minute, but otherwise they dictated the play and made the breakthrough in the 35th minute. Keith Gillespie clipped a pass to Healy, who caught Maris Smirnovs flat-footed by nodding the ball over the head of the Latvia defender before swivelling away from his marker. It was a superb piece of skill, bettered only by the finish. With goalkeeper and defender advancing, Healy steered the ball between the two of them.

Latvia had beaten Iceland 4-0 at the weekend, but they were knocked out of their stride and overwhelmed by a superior team in which Steven Davis, the midfield player, was outstanding.

NORTHERN IRELAND (4-4-2): M Taylor (Birmingham City) — C Baird (Southampton), S Craigan (Motherwell), A Hughes (Aston Villa), J Evans (Manchester United) — K Gillespie (Sheffield United), S Clingan (Nottingham Forest), S Davis (Aston Villa), D Johnson (Birmingham City) — D Healy (Leeds United, sub: W Feeney, Luton Town, 90min), K Lafferty (Burnley, sub: J Quinn, Northampton Town, 90). Substitutes not used: R Carroll (West Ham United), I Sproule (Hibernian), S Jones (Burnley), G McCann (Cheltenham Town), T Capaldi (Plymouth Argyle). Booked: Lafferty.

LATVIA (4-4-2): A Kolinko — D Kacanovs, I Stepanovs, M Smirnovs (sub: K Gorkss, 46), D Zirnis — J Laizans, G Solonicins (sub: A Visnakovs, 88), V Astafjevs, M Pahars — G Karlsons, M Verpakovskis (sub: G Kalnins, 78). Substitutes not used: A Piedels, D Ivanovs, P Surnins, K Grebis. Booked: Gorkss, Astafjevs Referee: H Fleischer (Germany).

Denmark3210607

Northern Ireland4211457

Latvia3102423

Spain3102653

Iceland4103483

Liechtenstein30031110

RESULTS: Northern Ireland 0 Iceland 3; Latvia 0 Sweden 1; Spain 4 Liechtenstein 0; Iceland 0 Denmark 2; Sweden 3 Liechtenstein 1; Northern Ireland 3 Spain 2; Sweden 2 Spain 0; Denmark 0 Northern Ireland 0; Latvia 4 Iceland 0; Iceland 1 Sweden 2; Northern Ireland 1 Latvia 0; Liechtenstein 0 Denmark 4.

NEXT FIXTURES: March 24: Spain v Denmark; Liechtenstein v Northern Ireland. March 28: Northern Ireland v Sweden; Liechtenstein v Latvia; Spain v Iceland.