The lowdown on Coleraine ahead of Motherwell's Europa League qualifier
Last updated 16th Sep 2020
Motherwell travel to the Showgrounds on Thursday to take on Coleraine in the second qualifying round of the Europa League.
A tie against Albanians Laci or Haopel Beer-Sheva of Israel awaits the winners.
Here is the lowdown on Motherwell's opponents.
Form
Coleraine are still in pre-season but they pulled off a major shock in the first qualifying round when they knocked out Maribor on penalties in Slovenia. Maribor have eliminated Rangers, Celtic, Hibernian and Aberdeen from European competition in the past decade. The Bannsiders had beaten La Fiorita 1967 of San Marino 1-0 at home in the preliminary round. They qualified for Europe after finishing four points adrift of Linfield in second place when the NIFL Premiership season was stopped in March.
Manager
Oran Kearney returned to Coleraine in the summer of 2019 after keeping St Mirren in the Scottish Premiership via play-off success against Dundee United - again on penalties - during his only season in Scotland. Kearney led Coleraine to the Irish Cup in 2018 and the League Cup last season, and came within two points of sealing only their second title success two years ago.
Players
Centre-back Aaron Canning has been Coleraine's best player over the past two seasons but forward James McLaughlin could be one to watch for Motherwell - he has netted both of his team's goals in the competition this season.
European Record
Before this season, Coleraine's previous success in Europe was against Kilmarnock in the Fairs Cup 50 years ago. In the past three seasons they have suffered aggregate defeats against Haugesund on Norway (7-0) and Spartak Subotica of Serbia (3-1) but drew one of the legs in each tie.