Larne manager Gary Haveron believes their varied pre-season schedule will stand his side in good stead for July’s European trip to San Marino as the reigning Premiership kings target progression on the continental stage.

The Inver Reds kicked off preparations with a trip to Stranraer on June 20 before hosting Welsh club Connah’s Quay Nomads – a first club goal for Montel Gibson secured a 1-0 victory in the latter fixture.

Haveron’s men travelled to Scottish giants Rangers last weekend to face a youthful side and defeated H&W Welders 2-1 on Monday evening as they continue to work towards their Champions League showdown with Tre Fiori on July 7.

Their final game before making the trip will come against Coleraine in Friday’s Charity Shield and Haveron is happy with how things are tracking ahead of the crucial tie.

placeholder image — Larne manager Gary Haveron. (Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press)

"We've had Welsh opposition, Scottish opposition, one from home now and we will have another on Friday night,” he told the club’s media channel. “You have to go and get these games to get competitive fixtures.

"Connah's Quay was a really good workout for us, so was going to Rangers on Saturday, it was excellent, albeit a young side out but they were very energetic and good on the ball, which is what you're going to face in European teams.

"I'm pleased with the effort and endeavour of the players.

"There's probably some aches and pains going into games which is to be expected because of the amount of work they're doing in the build up.

"We'll start tapering things off towards performance and getting a positive result on the 7th."

Paul O’Neill struck in either half at the Blanchflower Stadium as Haveron’s attacking options continue to show positive signs in front of goal.

"Everybody wants to get that better form going and hit the back of the net early,” he added. “They love that feeling strikers, don't they, hitting the back of the net.

"We were unlucky hitting the crossbar and we were a bit wasteful in front of goal, the keeper has made some really good saves.

"We probably could have put more goals on it but I'm really pleased with the two goals we did score. They were top, top quality goals.

"Paul took both of them really well, the build-up play was excellent and it was an excellent run from Benji Magee to set up the first one and excellent delivery from Conor McKendry for the second.”

Friday’s showdown at Inver Park will see the Premiership champions take on the reigning Irish Cup winners with Coleraine also preparing for a European return – they’ll face HJK Helsinki in the second round of Conference League qualifying.

"It's a competitive fixture,” said Haveron. “You can empty the bench so you can use all seven subs which is good because it's still an opportunity to get people game time at this stage of the season.

"We've got such a strong and competitive squad. the difficulty is when you're leaving people out of games, you want to try and keep everybody involved and as ready as you possibly can.

"We'll use all 18 players available to us for the game, as will Coleraine. It's another opportunity to get a competitive fixture in before the European tie.”