K earney to rival Ally for St Mirren job

Interview: Oran Kearney COLERAINE will know by the end of the week if they need a new boss with Oran Kearney set to be interviewed for the vacant manager’s job at Scottish Premiership new boys St Mirren.

While proud to be in charge of resurgent Coleraine, it is understood that Kearney is determined to do his homework ahead of speaking to the Saints board and give it his best shot.

The opportunity for Kearney to persuade Love Street chiefs to offer him a full-time job comes after a brilliant season when the Bannsiders finished runners-up to Crusaders in the Premiership and won their first major trophy since 2003 beating Cliftonville 3-1 in the Irish Cup final.

Kearney was recommended to St Mirren by Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill, who is a big admirer of the 39-year-old.

The former Linfield midfielder faces stiff competition in his quest with a host of well known figures in Scottish football also keen to take over from Jack Ross, who after leading the Buddies to promotion from the Championship moved to England jumping into the hotseat at Sunderland.

Rangers legend Ally McCoist has stated he would like to talk to St Mirren while ex-Ross County boss Jim McIntyre, former Hearts supremo Robbie Nielson, Alan Stubbs, previously in charge of Hibs and one-time exWigan manager Gary Caldwell have all been linked to the role along with former Real Madrid hero Guti.