Top-quality Kearney could work wonders at St Mirren, insists Burns
COLERAINE’S Irish Cup hero Aaron Burns has given an insight into the qualities St Mirren can expect if they appoint Oran Kearney as their new manager.
The Scottish Premiership new boys will interview the Bannsiders boss and other candidates this week as they look to recruit a replacement for Jack Ross, who has taken charge of English League One outfit Sunderland.
Kearney, also on the radar of Shamrock Rovers, is very much in the mix at Love Street as the St Mirren board see him as someone in the same mould as Ross with the ability to bring young players through and mould a fantastic team spirit.
Former Linfield star Burns played under David Jeffrey, Warren Feeney and David Healy at Windsor Park before moving to Coleraine in January.
He scored a match-defining goal in Coleraine’s Irish Cup final win over Cliftonville last month and says he is not surprised Kearney has become a wanted man, revealing how much he has enjoyed playing under the 39-year-old.
“The thing I like about Oran most is that he takes an interest in more than just your football,” explained Burns.
“He takes an interest in you as a person and your family and makes sure you are comfortable and that everything is okay.
“He works his coaching and his club around you as a player which I think is fantastic. Other managers I have played under have been very ruthless with times and dates and training. Nothing is a problem with Oran, if you have an issue with your family or an important appointment he is very understanding.
“I think that is one of the rea- sons why he has such a good squad playing well for him because the players respect him so much. He is very composed, methodical in what he does and doesn’t leave any stone unturned.
“His team talks are so precise about how we can pinpoint the opposition and work on our strengths and their weaknesses.
“He also knows what certain players in his dressing room need at different times. There are not too many in the Coleraine dressing room that would respond well to a rollicking and he is aware of that.
“The new generation of players don’t respond to that, they need an arm around them as well as visual effects and videos and he has a very good understanding at such a young age of what is needed for his group.
“There’s not too many young managers in the Irish League that could make the jump to fulltime football but he’s definitely one. It is very encouraging that clubs across the water aren’t just looking at players, they are now looking at managers like Oran.”
Burns adds that coach William Murphy and experienced player Stephen Douglas have helped Kearney instil a ‘winning mentality’ at Coleraine, insisting that, while he wants the boss to stay at the Showgrounds, he would be happy for him if he is offered the chance to manage in the Scottish Premiership.
“Oran brought me to Coleraine and I would want him to stay, but at the same time it would be great for Oran and his family if he pushed on to full-time football and did well,” said Burns.
“I have no doubt that he could take St Mirren on to a new level because that’s the type of guy he is.”