Ballymena United interim manager Ciaran Caldwell is determined to set a positive platform for the club’s new boss to build upon and feels everything is in place for Sky Blues success.

After masterminding Tuesday’s BetMcLean Cup quarter-final victory over Premiership table-toppers Larne, Caldwell’s temporary reign will extend into a weekend league showdown against Dungannon Swifts.

The former Cliftonville and Glentoran midfielder stepped up from his role as Ballymena’s U20s manager following Jim Ervin’s departure after last Saturday’s 3-1 defeat to basement club Glenavon which leaves the Co Antrim club sitting in eighth.

It’s thought Oran Kearney will likely be in pole position to secure the permanent post at The Showgrounds with the application deadline passing on Thursday afternoon, but Ballymena are yet to appoint Ervin’s successor.

placeholder image — Ballymena United interim manager Ciaran Caldwell. (Photo by Pacemaker)

Whoever the new manager will be, Caldwell is keen to help them start on the back of consecutive victories and feels they’ll have a talented squad at their disposal to climb the Premiership table.

"It's about what can I get out of the players in the interim so that the next man can come in and take the baton on,” he said. “It would be great for them to come in on the back of a couple of wins or decent results, positivity and good performances...then they can carry it on from there.

"Ballymena is a great club, ambitious and have great people in charge. There's a great squad there, togetherness and a real want to do well. Whoever gets the job will be in a lucky position and hopefully they can (succeed).

"Hopefully the result on Tuesday gives the players that jolt of confidence and makes them realise they're a very talented group.

"Their application was first-class and we seen that earlier in the season when they beat Linfield. They know it's in there and for me, however long it may be, it's about how long can I get that out of them consistently.

"That team is littered with Irish League quality, Irish League stalwarts - you look at what Matthew Clarke has achieved throughout his career, Sean O'Neill, Danny Lafferty, Daire O'Connor was one of the most sought-after players in the league before he went to Scotland - the list goes on."

Caldwell has previous managerial experience having spent time in charge of Amateur League outfit Crumlin United, who he led to Clarence Cup glory, before joining Ballymena in July.

Still only 36, Caldwell is gaining invaluable top-flight experience, and after facing former manager Gary Haveron, he’s now set to come up against another of the Irish League’s elite in Swifts chief Rodney McAree.

"It was a great experience to come up against Gary Haveron,” he added. “I played under Gary many years ago at Glentoran and then Rod has a reputation also for being a fantastic coach and manager.

"To test your wits against those guys will be invaluable to me in years to come. I've loved it. The players and the staff deserve so much credit.

"They've made us feel so welcome and it's all about learning in this short period of time for the ambitions I have of achieving in my career.

"It has been a whirlwind five days and the main thing was to lean heavily on the staff already there and the powers-that-be at the club.

"I'm trying not to get too caught up in it. The first few days consume you, you have the relief of the result on Tuesday night, and now it's about looking forward and enjoying the moment."