Matthew Tipton insists Coleraine “are well within their right” to make a splash in the transfer market with Northern Ireland international Conor McMenamin their latest recruit – and doesn’t feel the Bannsiders will care about “outside noise”.

McMenamin, who signed a three-year contract earlier this week, has joined the likes of Joel Cooper, Matthew Shevlin, Will Patching, Kodi Lyons-Foster and Mark Coyle at The Showgrounds as Coleraine aim to win a first Premiership title since 1974.

Ruaidhri Higgins’ squad is stacked full of talent with the Irish Cup champions also adding Jay Henderson and Ben Doherty this summer.

Much has been made of Coleraine’s significant moves, but former Linfield striker Tipton, who also managed at Portadown, Warrenpoint Town and Ards, doesn’t feel it adds extra pressure with the club’s ambitions already clear.

placeholder image — Coleraine owner Henry Ross (left) and manager Ruaidhri Higgins celebrate winning the Irish Cup. (Photo by Desmond Loughery/Pacemaker Press)

"Coleraine are well within their right to do it - other teams have done it over the years,” he said. “The signing of Conor is a massive statement.

"He has been away for three years, but prior to going to St Mirren he was by far the best player in the league.

"One thing I would always say about Conor is he's a big game player - see when you needed something from him, from my time managing him and then going on to Cliftonville and Glentoran, when they needed big goals, he did it for them numerous times.

"He maybe hasn't had as big an impact at St Mirren, but we have to appreciate that the level is a lot higher than the Irish League.

"You wouldn't be signing Conor if you didn't think you'd a chance of winning the league.

"I don't really buy into the pressure thing...let's be honest, if you're signing those players, the internal ambition is massive anyway so you don't care what the outside noise is.”

No odds are yet available for the upcoming Premiership season, but Coleraine will almost certainly start as title favourites as they look to mark their centenary next year by winning only a second Gibson Cup crown.

Coleraine made significant strides during Higgins’ first full season in charge, moving up three league positions to secure an automatic European return before winning the Irish Cup by beating Dungannon Swifts.

With Larne claiming a third title in four seasons, Glentoran keen to end their 18-year wait and Linfield looking to reclaim their throne, competition could be fierce, but Tipton believes Coleraine start as the team to beat.

"They have to be favourites,” he added. “Linfield are going through a rebuild, which David (Healy) has done numerous times and been successful over the years, so it will be interesting to see how they do.

"Larne have won a third title in four years, Gary (Haveron) did well taking over, and I'm sure Glentoran will want to push on.

"I watched Coleraine a few times last year and I think they'll be disappointed they didn't get in touching distance of Larne quick enough, but this year, after bringing in Conor and others, they'll be favourites.

"They'll have to take it off Larne and, as has been said for many years, if you finish above Linfield you're doing well.”