Coleraine boss Ruaidhri Higgins stands just days away from the biggest game of the club's season but has already set sights on future progress by declaring "our target next year is to win the league".

The Bannsiders booked a seat on a summer European adventure with success last Saturday over Glentoran in the closing game of the Irish League season.

It also sets Coleraine up perfectly for this weekend's Irish Cup final showdown against Dungannon Swifts and the chance to secure one of the biggest prizes in domestic football.

However, Higgins' arrival last May was heralded as a key part of Coleraine's drive towards consistent challengers on the biggest stages under executive chairman and majority shareholder Henry Ross.

placeholder image — Coleraine celebrating on the way to European qualification with Saturday's victory over Glentoran. (Photo by Desmond Loughery/Pacemaker)

Although delighted with European qualification and driven to deliver at Windsor Park on Saturday, Higgins is embracing the weight of ongoing expectation.

"I'm not going to shy away from it," said Higgins. "Our target next year is to win the league, we have to accept that.

"It's a privilege and we have to embrace the challenges.

"If you come second, what's the next step? It's coming first.

"That's our next challenge, but we'll worry about that when we get back in pre-season."

Higgins added after Saturday: “I think today has been the biggest indication of the true potential of this club...amazing support, it's a special day. “We can look forward to European football now...63 points finished second last year, 80 has finished second this year.

"By the way, credit to Larne...phenomenal 83 points from start to finish.

"They've been so consistent...the best team wins the league, fair play.”