Gary Haveron calls for Irish League officials to protect Larne star 'kicked from pillar to post every week'

McKendry enters Tuesday’s top-of-the-table Premiership showdown against old club Coleraine in fine form, scoring three times across his last four league outings, including netting the winner in Larne’s most recent victory over Glenavon.

According to Sofascore, only Joel Cooper and Crusaders winger Elliot Dunlop have completed more dribbles than McKendry this term, showing the attacking threat which the 27-year-old poses for the Inver Reds.

He has been met with special attention from opposition defences, but Haveron insists more needs to be done to protect his star man, who he feels has developed an unfair reputation for buying free-kicks.

"He has been massive,” he told the club’s media channel. “He comes up in the big moments and Conor is showing he wants to take that responsibility, he takes it on his shoulders really well.

"He is as skilful a player as we have in this league. He needs protected...I can't say enough, the kid gets kicked from pillar to post every week and every week he's coming in with bumps, bruises and lumps on him.

"That's not faking it, it's not diving - I can see the kicks all over him. He gets kicked from pillar to post and doesn't get the protection he deserves.

"I think there's a preconceived notion that Conor is trying to buy free-kicks...he's a clever player and there's other players in the league who are just as clever, but he doesn't get the same protection.

"They have it in their head and act on that rather than what actually happened in that moment because you can't tell me that lad didn't win a single free-kick (against Glenavon) and wasn't rewarded a single free-kick after being fouled a dozen times at least."

Larne, who sit one point behind leaders Coleraine, lost out at The Showgrounds on the season’s opening day after Cooper struck in the dying moments.

It marked the final league match of Nathan Rooney’s short managerial reign with Haveron initially stepping up on an interim basis before signing a three-year contract to become permanent boss.

Larne have underlined their title potential – they currently boast the Premiership’s best defensive record, conceding only six times in 14 matches – and while Haveron knows Tuesday’s result won’t determine the Gibson Cup’s final destination, he wants his side to rise to the challenge.

"You don't need to learn too much to know Joel Cooper's always a threat in behind and he's a dangerous player who you can't give a second because he can change the game quickly,” he added. “They have a lot of firepower and talent, but so do we.

"They have a strong defence, but so do we. Nothing is going to be won or lost in that game, league titles won't be handed out on Tuesday night, but we go there with a real determination to know that if we win the game we go top of the league."