IRISH LEAGUE: It's time for consistency says Coleraine boss

Oran Kearney is hoping his side kick on following last week's positive result and not suffer another hangover like they did a fortnight ago.
Coleraine boss Oran Kearney has challenged his side to find some consistency. Photo by TONY HENDRON/Presseye.com.Coleraine boss Oran Kearney has challenged his side to find some consistency. Photo by TONY HENDRON/Presseye.com.
Coleraine boss Oran Kearney has challenged his side to find some consistency. Photo by TONY HENDRON/Presseye.com.

The Bannsiders opened up their league account with a positive performance in the 1-1 draw at Windsor Park against Linfield before suffering a drubbing in Dungannon three days later.

Last Saturday though they were back on form again against league champions Crusaders as they picked up another 1-1 draw.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Kearney is now hoping there will be no dip in form as Glentoran visit The Showgrounds tonight.

“Results generally follow when we perform well, we have to hit the same heights on Friday night as we did agianst the Crues and perform well and go and get the three points,” he said.

“I sincerely hope the Coleraine team who turned up on Saturday turn up again on Friday night.

“I asked for a response after the Dungannon game and we got it thankfully.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“That’s all you can do. The good thing about football is there’s a quick turnaround of games.

“Ideally we would have wanted a game on Tuesday night to be honest as it made for a long seven days.

“It’s been a very Jekyll and Hyde start for us.

“We’ve played really well at Linfield and drew and gone really well today and drew again, but last Saturday was just so poor.

“We have to work towards getting that consistency of performance every game.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We’ve had it in two of our three games, but we have to go into Friday night’s game and aim for that same standard of performance again.”

Glentoran took the honours in the sides last meeting at the start of May.

The prize on offer was a place in the Europa League Play-off final, which the Glens claimed.

Kearney though doesn’t think that result will have any bearing on tonight’s game.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The play-off match doesn’t really come into it, that was last season, it’s our next game of the season and that’s all we’re concerned with,” said the Bannsiders’ boss.

“There’s three points available and it’s important we get the same level of performance as we have produced in our last game.”

The Glens have also had a mixed bag so far in terms of results with two wins and two defeats in their opening four games.

Boss Alan Kernaghan has moved to bring Moldovan international defender Alex Leu to add a bit of steel to his back line.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Kernaghan revealed it has been a move which has been in the pipeline for a while, but he delighted to finally get it done.

“Alex came to us and played in two or three games in pre-season and it has just taken a long time to get things organised from there,” he said.

“The opportunity came about to do the deal and we are grateful again to the Glentoran supporters in helping to make it possible.

“He is another quality player to add to the squad and he’s versatile as he can play at left-back or left midfield.

“Obviously I had to do some research on him and the YouTube clips verified the good reports I had heard.”