Gary Haveron has welcomed the cash injection into Coleraine saying the added competition will be good for the league. Haveron's club Larne have benefited from major investment over the last eight years to assemble back-to-back title winning squads.

The Bannsiders have been linked with a number of high-profile Irish League stars including the Invermen's Levi Ives after property investor Henry Ross became the majority shareholder at The Showgrounds. With financial fair play on its way in the Premiership Haveron did urge a note of caution however stating all clubs will still have to live within their means.

“Of course Coleraine are now major players," said the Larne head coach when asked about the Bannsiders investment. "They have made a few statement signings, albeit still unconfirmed if you want to believe that.

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“They have put a lot of letters out there for players around the Irish League. It’s good for the league that there is competition, and the quality is spread around. For so many years just one or two clubs had the financial clout to assemble a strong squad.

“In my time one or two challenged for a period or time and then fell away. It was always the Glens and Blues had the most resources to sign the best players and have that success. Portadown and Coleraine had their strong spells and challenges come and go.

“It’s good that resources are being shared around but the big thing for all of us is the financial fair play rules. Everyone will have to cut their cloth accordingly and make sure that is factored into any deals you do moving forward.

"You have to play within the rules of the game as laid out by NIFL very clearly to all the clubs. We will aim to cut our cloth accordingly and we cannot live beyond our means. That will be a big factor."

Larne have benefited financially from reaching the group stages of the UEFA Conference League this season and says getting back in European competition is the big target for next season.

One route has already gone following their disappointing Irish Cup exit to Limavady United last Saturday, but Haveron is hoping they can push on in the league when Cliftonville visit Inver Park this evening.

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“One hundred per cent, there is a fight on to qualify for Europe," he said. “We are well aware of that. European spots are at a premium, everyone wants to be involved in it.

“It can have a huge impact financially on your club, the rewards are big but for us it’s about having that experience again, it is massive for us.

“We understand there is stiff competition for it. We have had to go through two play-offs to get there. They are nervy games and you don’t want to be involved in them.

“You want to get one of the top two slots in the league. Whatever way it comes, we desperately want to experience it again as a club.”

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