How Coleraine boss Oran Kearney did a 'Fergie' prior to signing Larne forward Lee Lynch

Coleraine boss Oran Kearney has revealed how he ‘did a Fergie’ prior to snapping up Larne forward Lee Lynch for an undisclosed fee on Monday night.

Sir Alex Ferguson famously took Eric Cantona and Cristiano Ronaldo to Manchester United in 1992 and 2003 following rave reviews from inside the Old Trafford changing room.

Cantona was talked up by Steve Bruce and Gary Pallister after the United defenders struggled to contain the French striker during his time at Leeds United.

Larne owner Kenny Bruce hits back at "shambles" charge after Lee Lynch moves to Coleraine

And it was a similar case with Ronaldo after the Portuguese teenager impressed the likes of Roy Keane and Ryan Giggs during a friendly with Sporting Lisbon.

Kearney always rated Lynch highly but told Coleraine TV that his determination to sign the 30-year-old was reinforced after a glowing recommendation from his own players.

“When we played Larne and you looked down their team sheet, if Lee wasn’t playing you were quite happy because of the energy and qualities he brought to the game,” said Kearney.

“Also when you speak to some of our players who played up against him and tried to mark him, he’s a real handful and a real headache from that point of view.

“He brings a lot of qualities with the ball and also a lot of energy. In the majority of games he probably ends up travelling further distances than most in the league.

“One of his best attributes is his energy and ability to get around the ground. He’s just turned 30 but his body is probably more like a 24 or 25-year-old in relation to how he performs.”

Kearney believes Lynch, who has also played for the likes of Sligo Rovers and Limerick, is perfectly suited to Coleraine’s 3G pitch which was installed at the