'People just fire silly stuff around': Ruaidhri Higgins insists Coleraine aren't favourites for Irish League title glory

The Inver Reds have won the Gibson Cup in three of the last four seasons and started the current campaign by putting together a seven-match unbeaten run ahead of hosting Coleraine on Friday night.

Coleraine finished three points behind Larne last term but entered this season priced as favourites with bookmakers for title glory.

Losing just one of their opening 11 matches to move three points clear at the top alongside scoring a league-high 23 goals has only reinforced a belief of many about Coleraine’s credentials.

However, Higgins insists Larne, who have played four games fewer at this stage, are the team to beat.

"I think Larne are favourites for the Irish League,” said Higgins. “Their experience of winning leagues in recent times, the continuity they've had.

"That team's been built over a long period of time. From that point of view they're really stable.

“I know Gary (Haveron, Larne manager) makes comments about us and all that sort of stuff, but he's got a really good group of players, that team has been together for a long time.

“I know people talk about our firepower but they've got seven strikers in their squad which is phenomenal really. I know a couple of them are hybrid, wide players/strikers, but they have seven players you could name as strikers.

“They've extremely good depth themselves.

“I think the fact they're reigning champions should give the title of favourites anyway.

“People seem to forget that Charles Dunne has left, Mark Connolly has left, Mark Coyle is out for the season, Conor McMenamin, our highest profile signing in the off season, has left the club.

“People just fire silly stuff around without being educated or understanding.

“We don't just sign players – players have to leave the club as well...I think the balance of our squad is good.”

Coleraine are aiming to celebrate their centenary in style by winning just a second Gibson Cup – their sole success to date came in 1973/74.

Last season marked an eighth time since their title triumph they’ve finished second and Higgins is determined to end a long wait at a club he considers “a giant” in the Irish League.

"It does shock me that Coleraine have only ever won the league title once,” added Higgins. “When you look at the fanbase here, that's probably something we have over Larne – we have a much bigger fanbase.

“This club is a giant in Irish League terms, in my opinion, in terms of the potential of the fanbase, the catchment area.

“There's so much good about the place and it does surprise me that we've only won one league title, it really does shock me.

“But we've got fantastic people at the club who are extremely ambitious and who have a clear vision.

“To me it's not about Ruaidhri Higgins, it's about Coleraine FC winning a league.

“Can we do it this year? That remains to be seen but it's something that we need and want to do in the very near future.”