Kearney plays down Linfield speculation

The Blues are currently looking for a new manager following Warren Feeney’s departure from the club last week.

The former Northern Ireland international has taken up the role of Assistant Manager at 
Newport County.

Kearney is one of several names to be linked with vacancy, especially given his links with Linfield and with the Bannsiders impressive start to the season.

Saturday’s 2-1 win over Carrick Rangers leaves Coleraine four points off the top of the league.

Speaking afterwards though Kearney told Times Sport he was focusing on his job with the Bannsiders.

“Myself and Spike (Glenn Ferguson) will always be mentioned because we played for the club but at this point in time I’ve enough on my plate in relation to trying to get the three points today and we’ve a big game against the Welders on Wednesday night. It’s a simple as that for me,” he said.

It’s a big week for the Showgrounds club with the League Cup game against H&W Welders on Wednesday night before the league game against Dungannon Swifts on Saturday.

They will be without captain Howard Beverland on Wednesday, but James McLaughlin is hopeful his side can progress.

“It’s going to be a tough game against the Welders make no mistake about that,” he told Times Sport after notching his eighth goal of the season on Saturday.

“They are going to be coming to The Showgrounds thinking to themselves ‘we’ve beat Glentoran, so why can we not beat Coleraine?’.

“Hopefully we can keep our good run going, especially at home. We have been playing well there this season so I would fancy us against anyone there.”