Boss Kearneydetermined tohelp young guns

With the transfer window about to open many managers are preparing to add to their squad.

But the Bannsiders boss does not want to stifle the development of his talented young squad.

“I’m not actively looking for players because for me desire and the chemistry in the changing room is so important,” he said.

“I could be detrimental to us in January by going and signing the wrong player.

“With things sitting so balanced it needs to be a player who ticks so many boxes to step inside this changing room.

“I don’t want to go and sign an old head who is going to keep our young players out of the team.

“It’s important that we put our faith in these guys. Yes they have bits to work on and they have a long way to go, but in the same stretch we have to be true to the guys that are here and especially the local players.

“When was the last time a Coleraine team with five or six locals lads in it won a Boxing Day derby?

“It’s brilliant and is so important for me.”

After their Boxing Day win over their rivals Coleraine entertain Ballinamallard United on New Year’s Day in the first part of a double header.

“Double headers can be difficult, especially with one being in the cup and one being in the league,” said Kearney.

“I’m glad it’s a double header though with both games at home rather than travelling to Ballinamallard two weeks in a row.

“Our home form has been really good this year, I think we’ve only lost two at home all season.

“It’s so important that we kick on, and for as much as we’ve had a disappointing couple of weeks, when I zoom out and look at where we were this time last year we just have to be over the moon.

“It’s important to keep track of that. The semi final defeat to Ards still hurts and always will, but I have to keep telling myself to look at the bigger picture and not get so fixated on that and remember where we’ve been and where we are going.”