Oran Kearney has stepped back into the Coleraine managerial hotseat less than a year after leaving the club to take charge of Scottish Premiership side St. Mirren.

Despite keeping the Buddies in the top flight, the 40-year-old departed Paisley last month and was this evening announced by the Bannsiders as the man to replace Rodney McAree at The Showgrounds on a two-year contract.

Chairman Colin McKendry, speaking to the club website, said: "The Board of Directors and I are delighted to welcome Oran back to this football club. We are convinced that he has the necessary knowledge and temperament to lead the Club to the success we all desire.

"Oran has a great record in identifying and developing players, and has identified potential targets as we look to strengthen the squad this summer. This a special day for our club, our fans and for Oran."

And Oran, who first took the Ballycastle Road reins back in 2011 and guided the Bannsiders to the cusp of the league title before heading across the Irish Sea, expressed his desire to pick up where he left off.

"It is important for me to get right back out there as I didn’t want to rest on my laurels. Scotland hurt but it was also a great experience and one I feel that I’m better for in the long run.

"I just want to crack on now and do what I do best and that’s football."