Last updated on .From the section St Mirren

Oran Kearney has described being appointed St Mirren manager as "surreal" after agreeing a three-year deal with the Premiership club.

The 40-year-old leaves Coleraine and replaces Alan Stubbs, who left the Paisley club on Monday after less than three months in charge.

Kearney's first match as Buddies boss will be against Celtic next Friday.

"I feel at this stage it's the right move for me and I can't wait to get started," Kearney said. external-link

"It's been a rollercoaster 72 hours to be honest. It's all been very surreal."

Kearney, who is the son-in-law of former Kilmarnock manager Kenny Shiels, was interviewed for the job in the summer but lost out to Stubbs.

He won the Irish Cup with Coleraine last season, while they narrowly missed out on the Irish League title, having only lost one game.

Trevor McKendry has been promoted from the coaching staff to take temporary charge of the Bannsiders and he will be assisted by William Murphy and Paul Owens.

Stubbs lost his final three games in charge of St Mirren and the side are second bottom of the Premiership after winning promotion as Championship winners under Jack Ross last season.

"I had an interview in the summer that went well and I got a really good feeling about the people in charge at the club," Kearney explained.

"I didn't get the job at that point but I said what's for you won't go by you and here I am."

St Mirren chief executive Tony Fitzpatrick added: "We are absolutely delighted to have Oran in as our new manager.

"He is a highly impressive individual and I look forward to working with him."