New Coleraine manager Ruaidhri Higgins says winning the Irish Premiership is the “ultimate goal” for the ambitious top flight club but progress must be made “step-by-step” in moving towards achieving that.
Higgins was revealed as Dean Shiels’ successor in the role on Friday and will take charge of the Bannsiders’ European play-off semi-final against either Dungannon Swifts or Crusaders next Wednesday.
The 40-year-old takes over at the helm at a time when the Ballycastle Road club is the subject of major investment, including from executive chairman and majority shareholder Henry Ross, and is finishing its first year operating to a full-time model.
Joel Cooper, a key figure in Linfield’s convincing Irish Premiership success, is among the players who will be joining Coleraine in the summer.
“You want to be part of clubs who want to be successful. This club definitely wants success but you have to take it in stages as well,” said the former Derry City boss.
“You have to compete first, unsettle the teams above you, and the next stage then is winning. It’s step-by-step.
“But I’m very confident. There are a lot of smashing players here at the minute. I’ve seen that at first hand, players that I am really looking forward to working with.”
