Bet McLean League Cup Final Preview

Coleraine and Crusaders will clash on Saturday the 14th of February in the Bet McLean League Cup Final, with both clubs out to improve their recent record in the competition.

The Belfast club last won in 2012, but went on to lose finals in the following 2 seasons, while the Bannsiders' only victory came in 1988, with two defeats in the final in the last decade.

Crusaders won't have been too disappointed, though, as they went on to mop up silverware in every other competition in Northern Ireland. Manager Stephen Baxter is also pleased his side is fighting on all fronts this season.

"There are three trophies on the line. The County Antrim Shield is gone, but there are three to play for. There are only a few teams can actually win these things. We have a wee chance, and we want to put our best foot forward," said Baxter.

For his opposite number Oran Kearney, it's been about capturing the same feeling of their successful Irish Cup run of 2018.

"The importance of it around the area, and the interest it's generated, it's as big as what we experienced a couple of years ago. The tickets are flying out and we're going to bring up a huge following on the night. It's a great buzz for the players, and it's why we're in football," said Kearney.

Games between the two sides have generally been close-fought battles, and Baxter believes this encounter at Windsor Park will be another game that highlights the recent progress made in Irish League football.

"I think our league has just gone to a different level in the last 2 years. The standard of our game, the players we have and also the stadiums are all improving. Everything around our game is really, really good right now. We have an opportunity to showcase it, and it's a really brilliant game," said Baxter.

Kearney has also been using the prospect of the final to motivate his players over the previous few weeks.

"It gives the players something to look forward to for 2 months and it makes the motivation easy, it's sometime to use to make sure people stay on the ball. Particularly in the last couple of weeks, you notice players really step it up because places are up for grabs," said Kearney.

It kicks off at Windsor Park on Saturday the 14th at 7.30pm.