Kearney happy to get up and running

COLERAINE manager Oran Kearney spoke to the club’s media team after watching his side secure a 1-0 success against Stranraer…

A solitary first-half strike from Jamie Glackin would prove to be the match winner as the Bannsiders were victorious in their first pre-season fixture.

Kearney was pleased to see his side get a run out against a team who were ahead in terms of preparation for the 2019-20 campaign.

“It was great to start off with a win, especially when you consider we got in on Thursday night and to be fair to Paul, Winkie, Trevor and Michael, they have got good work done in the last couple of weeks,” Kearney said.

“I think everybody was probably looking forward to their first game and this one in particular because over here they start the Betfred League Cup next week, so they are probably three weeks ahead of us and that was their fourth pre-season game.

“We had a fair idea that we would struggle after 65-70 minutes and I was hoping that Stranraer wouldn’t and keep going, and it proved to be that way.

“We had a little bit of everything and I think the first-half was good as we got our goal and a lot of good play. In the second half, we had good breaks and good play, but what you wanted to see in the last 10 or 15 minutes when we didn’t have a lot of the ball, that we showed that little bit of resolution to see the game out.

“Yes, they missed the penalty, and I’m not sure if it was one or not, but it’s nice to get the win but more importantly it’s about performances and start climbing the hill to what we want it to look like.

“We weren’t going to build Rome in a day and we have a lot of work to do before we face Cliftonville in the opening day of the season, but we have set a target in terms of fitness, performance and everything.

“Lyndon Kane and Alexander Gawne aren’t too far away now, with Stephen Lowry a little behind those two, but we won’t be rushing them back until they are ready.”

The manager also revealed he is excited to work with Ben Doherty and Jamie Glackin after previously trying to sign the pair during his first stint at The Showgrounds.

“I tried to sign Ben and Jamie in my first spell as manager so I’m fortunate that I can work with them now,” Kearney added.

“I spoke to Ben prior to his move to Glenavon and I also spoke to Jamie before he signed for Crusaders, and I joked to them about it in the changing room.

“They are both good lads, they fit into how I want us to play and I thought they both had two really good performances.”

Kearney has been quick to act in the transfer window after two departures last week and he also gave an update on the future of Jamie McGonigle who has been linked with a move away from the Ballycastle Road.

“The squad is big at this moment in time and bigger than what I’ve experienced at the club,” Kearney concluded.

“For all reasons I want to get it down to a number that suits the way I like to do it, so there will be movement both in and out in the next couple of weeks and we have a lot of work to do on that front.

“There’s an offer for Jamie that has met our valuation as such but it hasn’t been accepted by the Board.

“I have an idea of if the transfer happens, how I would like it to happen.

“I feel that Jamie is quite down the line in terms of wanting the move to materialise, but it has to suit Coleraine if it’s going to happen.

“There’s a bit of mileage in it yet.”