Coleraine manager Ruaidhri Higgins praised “the most talented player on the pitch” Will Patching for his professionalism during their 2-0 BetMcLean Cup quarter-final victory over Moyola Park – and admits it’s a case of “we'll see over the next few days” just how bad an injury is to a key defender.

Patching, who is currently enjoying his first Irish League stint at The Showgrounds during a loan spell from Carlisle United, has been one of the standout players for Higgins’ side this season as they compete on all fronts.

The 27-year-old has scored four times and provided three assists while starting all 18 of Coleraine’s Premiership matches.

He further added to his goal tally with a superb strike against third-tier Moyola – an effort which doubled his side’s advantage following Alex Watson’s first half opener.

placeholder image — Coleraine manager Ruaidhri Higgins. (Photo by Desmond Loughery/Pacemaker Press)

Patching previously worked with Higgins during their time together at Derry City and the Bannsiders boss is once again getting the best out of him.

"The first goal is a brilliant run from deep by Alex, the pass from Cameron (Stewart),” he told the club’s media channel. “The second, Lyndon (Kane) injects a bit of speed into the attack and it drops to Will 25 yards out and he smashed it in the top corner.

"That's the ability he has. I thought he showed unbelievable professionalism, how he went about it, in and out of possession he was outstanding.

"He's probably the most talented player on the pitch but he gave absolutely everything and really grabbed it by the scruff of the neck."

The only negative from Tuesday’s triumph for Higgins was watching Kodi Lyons-Foster, who was named captain for the evening, limp off just six minutes into the second half.

Lyons-Foster has made 17 league appearances since joining the Co Londonderry club from Irish League rivals Glentoran during the summer, but Higgins is waiting to see the extent of the damage.

"We'll see,” he added. “He felt something in his hamstring but we'll see over the next few days."

Coleraine will now meet Glentoran in a semi-final showdown after Declan Devine’s side defeated reigning champions Cliftonville in a repeat of last season’s showpiece decider.

The Bannsiders last tasted competition success under Oran Kearney when they defeated Crusaders 2-1 in the 2019/20 final, and while happy to be back in contention for silverware honours, Higgins is focusing on more immediate matters.

"We've got into the semi-final which is the most important thing,” he said. “We could have been a lot better - in some aspects we were ok.

"We made a lot of changes and it was important to use the squad and get ourselves into a semi-final, we've managed to do that.

"There'll be a lot of games to be played between now and then. We're delighted to be in a semi-final, it's always nice to be one game away from a cup final. It's a game we will look forward to but we have a lot more to concentrate on between now and then."