'I didn’t think it was ideal' - Boss Ruaidhri Higgins delivers Coleraine stance as Conor McMenamin makes surprise transfer to Irish League trophy rivals Glentoran after just 10 weeks

McMenamin made the move back home in June after three successful seasons in Scotland, with the transfer celebrated as a significant coup for Coleraine and key addition towards the anticipated title challenge.

However, McMenamin completes his transfer to Glentoran having featured only on the substitutes’ bench across the first four games of the Premiership season under Higgins, stepping off the sidelines for second-half minutes in three of those fixtures.

With McMenamin’s move back to former club Glentoran now confirmed in a deal which will see Coleraine received an undisclosed transfer fee and player Joe Thomson on a permanent move, Higgins has given his view on the situation.

“These things happen in football and I’ve no personal issue with Conor whatsoever,” said Higgins, manager of the current league leaders following 10 points from four games. “Initially part of the plan is that he’d move closer to the north coast which hasn’t happened.

“I think when you do that commute from Downpatrick to Coleraine and back every day, I think it can have a negative impact on your body.

“I didn’t think it was ideal, neither did Conor after a few good conversations, and we’ve decided to come to this arrangement which I think suits all parties.”

However, Higgins has celebrated the chance to reunite with Thomson, a player he enjoyed trophy glory with during time together at Derry City.

“The big attraction to bringing Joe here is that he’s completely different to the other midfielders we have at the club,” said Higgins. “He’s all-action, plays with a serious edge to his game, he’s very driven and can chip in with a goal from midfield.

“He has really good running power, he’s box-to-box and we’re delighted to bring him here.

“He’s won this league so that was another attraction but I know him really well and I feel he’s someone I’ve got the best out of in the past at Derry City.

“It’s a really good addition and if you look at the balance of our squad, I think it’s really strong as we have different types of players in each position, which is really important.”

Scotland-born Thomson counts Celtic, Dumbarton, Queen of the South, Livingston and Dunfermline Athletic on his club CV from across the water before helping Derry City win the FAI Cup under Higgins in 2022.

Thomson has Irish League experience as a back-to-back title winner with Larne, alongside time at the Glens.

“I’m over the moon to be here and I’m looking forward to it,” said Thomson. “There’s such a great squad here and I’m determined to play my part.

“I know Ruaidhri, Kevin (Deery, assistant coach) and Conor (Loughrey, assistant coach) from my time at Derry City and they leave no stone unturned in terms of preparation.

“The sky is the limit for this squad and we want to build on what we achieved last season.”