“I promised the boys a bonus every time they keep a clean sheet, so it’s killing me at the minute." Paddy McLaughlin reveals the secret behind Institute's great start to the season

Institute manager Paddy McLaughlin has insisted his players can’t afford to show Coleraine too much respect when the sides meet tonight.

‘Stute make the short trip to the Showgrounds to take on the Bannsiders in the Premiership fixture, having lost out 4-0 to Oran Kearney’s men in February in the Irish Cup.

The Waterside club bounced back from a 3-0 defeat to Linfield in Windsor Park with a win over Warrenpoint Town on Saturday to take them to six points and fifth place in the table.

McLaughlin admitted after the game against league leaders Linfield two weeks ago that his players had let the occasion and calibre of the opposition get to them, and their primary aim tomorrow night will be to focus on their own game.

“We have a young squad and for a lot of the boys, it’s their first time playing Premiership football,” the manager said. “It’s a new experience and we’re learning every week so the aim is to take those lessons onboard and to approach this game the way we approach every other. In this league you’re playing big games week in, week out, so we have to focus on ourselves and putting in the best performance we can.”

The Blues have won both of their first two games at the Brandywell, without conceding a goal, pushing them into the top half of the table at this early stage of the season.

“I promised the boys a bonus every time they keep a clean sheet, so it’s killing me at the minute,” joked McLaughlin. “In all seriousness I’m more than happy. They’ve earned them because they’ve defended really well. Marty (Gallagher) has made some great saves, the boys in front have protected, and the midfield and strikers have worked their socks off and its resulted in some good performances.”