After getting his hands on his first silverware as Coleraine boss – Ruaidhri Higgins is now determined to end the Bannsiders’ wait for Gibson Cup glory.

Coleraine celebrated Irish Cup success at Windsor Park on Saturday as they edged out Dungannon Swifts in a five-goal thriller at Windsor Park.

A brace from Matthew Shevlin and Joel Cooper’s individual effort was enough for Coleraine to end their season on a winning note and clinch the Irish Cup for the seventh time in the club’s history.

The Bannsiders enjoyed a stunning end to the season and took the battle for the Premiership title down to the final day but fell just short as Larne took the honours.

placeholder image — Ruaidhri Higgins has eyes set on winning the league title next season

But now Higgins has his eyes set on leading Coleraine to their first league title since 1974 and believes he has the squad at his disposal to do so.

"We ran the league really close this year...maybe if we had started our surge a week or two earlier, you never know,” he claimed.

“When you finish second in the league, the next step is to actually try and win it.

“There's no guarantees yet, but if you're asking me, is this group capable of going and winning a league, I think we are.

“I think you look at the top managers in the world…they never just settle whenever they've won a trophy. They go and strengthen again and we have to be diligent.

“We don't need wholesale changes but we have to be diligent and try and get the right people into the club.

“I'm so proud of this group, it’s a privilege to manage it as they are so receptive and so hard-working

“Nothing is ever too much of a hassle for them – you can't ask for more than that out of a manager.”

With Shevlin and Cooper continuing to have an impact in the big moments, as well as the likes of Cameron Stewart and Ben Wylie forging their careers in the local game, Higgins claims there’s “huge potential” within his ranks.

He added: "We've got a lot of experience and we have some outstanding young players.

"We have a really good blend in our group of experienced players, players who are emerging, players who are in their early stages, players who are in their prime.

"So there's a good mix and I think there's great potential in the group.”