Oran Kearney feels Coleraine are in great shape

The Bannsiders boss knows his side will have to be at their best against the Slovenians, who are regular European competitors, in this Europa League first qualifying round clash.

“In all our other experiences in Europe we maybe only have two or three weeks of training before pre-season then Europe at the end of June or start of July,” he said.

“Due to COVID-19 this year and the way things have transpired we have now been in training for about nine or 10 weeks and played eight matches.

“In European terms we are probably in the best shape that we would ever be in coming into European competition and with that we hope we can use every part of that tomorrow night.

“Maribor have a brilliant history of Europa League and Champions League football over the years and with that they haven’t really taken a break.

“It is easier to have homework done with a bigger club and everything else that goes with it so we will be prepared from that point of view.”

Kearney is alos relishing the opportunity of pitting his wits against Maribor, who have taken on the likes of Liverpool and Rangers in their recent European campaigns.

“We are obviously delighted to get through a round and we know from research and there is a lot of history in relation to the size of the club Maribor is and their achievements in European competition over the last few years,” he said.

“We are all very excited by the challenge we know that it is going to be tough but with that we want to go and give a real good account of ourselves.

“We had a couple who didn’t travel due to work commitments we have no Stephen Douglas, Curtis Allen and Jamie Glackin is obviously injured with a broken arm but apart from that we have a full squad.

“The temperature is slightly different to what we are used to and so far it has been a great stay and we look forward to getting out on the pitch.”

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to newsletter.co.uk and enjoy unlimited access to the best Northern Irish and UK news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Thank you,

Alistair Bushe

Editor