Brendan battle is a dream
Oran Kearney says facing Brendan Rodgers in his first match as St Mirren boss will be a dream after the Celtic gaffer helped him try to land the job in the summer.
Kearney missed out then but following the sacking of Alan Stubbs he will be in the dugout on Friday against Rodgers’ Celts.
The former Coleraine boss said: “I hope to have plenty of run- ins with Brendan, whom I have a lot of respect for.
“I’ve had great chats with Brendan already and
I’d hope that continues.” Kearney, who has signed a three-year deal with the Buddies, bel ieves the chance to pit his wits against Rodgers proves he was right to quit Coleraine.
His time in Northern Ireland was split between two jobs – coaching his football club and working as a schoolteacher.
The 40-year-old added: “This first match is nearly poetic for me.
“People try to grasp the reasons why I would take a career break from my school job and why I would leave Coleraine when they are sitting top of the league and everything else.
“I suppose that in one sentence this is the reason why, to be stepping out next week in relation to that opening game. It will be brilliant.”
Kearney’s last match as Coleraine boss turned out to be a 3- 0 victory over Irish League champions Crusaders on Monday night while Stubbs was walking out the door at Paisley for the last time.
Kearney revealed he also spoke with Hibs manager Neil Lennon in his research for his first meeting with St Mirren chiefs in June.
He was recommended to the Buddies by Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill in the summer.
He then impressed the Saints board with his detailed presentation about how to keep moving the club forward.
At the time, they decided to go with the more experienced Stubbs, who lost the dressing room early on in his reign.
Three successive league losses in a row have left the newly promoted club second bottom in the Premiership.
Kearney is expected to be unveiled to the media tomorrow afternoon.
He will meet the players tomorrow morning with his first job being to instil confidence into the squad for the challenges ahead.
It is understood Kearney won’t bring any of his staff from Coleraine with him.