Oran Kearney to step up Gareth Deane pursuit

The Linfield stopper made a short-term switch to The Showgrounds to cover the club’s Europa League qualifiers.

Deane played his part in helping the Bannsiders to victories over La Fiorita and NK Maribor, before pushing Motherwell all the way to penalties.

Kearney is hoping that experience coupled with the chance to play regular football will help land the keeper.

“The agreement was he would come here for the European games and we would have a more serious conversation after,” he said.

“As much as the European adventure has gone on further I have stuck to the agreement and haven’t gone near here to discuss a more permanent deal, as much as I have wanted to.

“After the Motherwell game last week I decided I would let the dust settle and then pick up with him again this week.

“I think at his age and profile we are perfect for him.

“Probably due to injury more than anything else he has had an unfortunate couple of years at Linfield.

“But the quality of him that we have seen in training and the games he has played shows what he is capable of.

“How many goalkeepers have the ability to step in and play three European games on the bounce? The way he imposed himself was fantastic.

“When you look at the statistics over the last few seasons the only thing he is lacking in being on that level with the top, top keepers in the country is just a run of games.

“I will sicken him with games here and I’ve told him I will give him his fill of games.

“I did the same with Chris Johns when he came here, and what turned him from the Chris that arrived to the one which left was the 200-odd games he played here.

“There’s no experience like going and playing in all the big games, and for Gareth it’s exactly the same.

“That’s the big thing I’ve been driving with him.”

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to newsletter.co.uk and enjoy unlimited access to the best Northern Irish and UK news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Thank you,

Alistair Bushe

Editor