Gareth Deane says Coleraine are hungry for more success

The goalkeeper played his part in the squads which won all the major honours during that period.

The expectation to win trophies has always been high, but Deane says that same expectation is evident at his new club Coleraine.

The 26-year-old made the switch to The Showgrounds from Windsor Park in the summer and now finds himself battling it out with his former employers at the top of the Danske Bank Premiership.

Saturday’s win over Warrenpoint Town pushed the Bannsiders up to second in the table and Deane is delighted t hey have pulled themselves back into the title race again.

“I just think it shows the character in the changing room (rise up the table),” he said.

“I left Linfield where there’s a big expectation to win trophies and I’ve come here and it’s exactly the same.

“The boys are hungry, to get the three points and to climb that table.

"They are also hungry to bring the Gibson Cup to Coleraine, the whole club is, and the whole town.

“I know November, wasn’t ideal where we wanted to be, after the European games we played.

“But I think we’ve knuckled down now. We’ve got the basics right, we’ve kept the back door shut on a lot of occasions, getting clean sheets, and the boys are scoring up top - which is good.

“I think today was the first goal we’ve conceded in five games.

“We went to Linfield last week and kept a clean sheet - I think that’s the first time they’ve failed to score at Windsor this season which shows you the mentality we have.

“The boys are all pulling in the same direction.”

Deane has been a revelation for the Bannsiders since swapping position with Chris Johns and he showed his worth again against Warrenpoint with a superb triple save to make sure his side went on to secure all three points.

“The ball was ricocheting everywhere, I was just throwing myself at it,” Deane explained.

“I saved the first one and then the second and the third attempt hit the post and I just dived on it, I took a big deep breath then!

“I’m a bit more annoyed at myself for their goal and not getting the clean sheet but, sure, you can’t save them all.

“But I’m kind of glad we got the three points.

“We got it tight the last time down here against Warrenpoint - Stewart Nixon scored late on in the Last 30 seconds.

“They came here with a good game plan - they’re no dozers, they’re always strong and they’re always physical.

“It’s like any team down there now - there’s no pressure on them in terms of relegation.

“They come here and it’s a free one and everything to play for.

“I know what winning the league would mean to this town and the boys in the changing room.

“We’re hungry to bring more success here.”

The Bannsiders take on Portadown tonight knowing a win could close the gap on the top of the table, but Deane says they are only focusing on what they do at the minute.

"We will just keep ticking the games off and take each game as it comes," he said

"At the end of the season we'll see where it takes us.

"We can only do what we can do - it's up to the other teams to do the same.

"Playing in this team is a privilege for me, a privilege to play under this manager, the chairman and everyone associated with Coleraine."

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