Ruaidhri Higgins can be Derry City boss for 'a long time' - predicts Stephen Kenny

Kenny described his former player as a 'terrific young coach' and believes Derry City chairman, Mr Philip O'Doherty 'made the right choice' when appointing Higgins manager last May.

Higgins guided Derry to a second placed finish on Sunday despite losing 1-0 to Dundalk at Brandywell - the club's highest finish since Kenny's 2006 team finished as runners-up in the top flight.

With a first FAI Cup Final since 2014 also in the bank, Kenny has been hugely impressed by how Higgins has quickly adapted to football management.

"Ruaidhri has done a terrific job," said Kenny. "I think Ruaidhri will be manager of Derry for a long time.

"He's a great choice as manager and will be manager here for the long term unless of course he gets an opportunity somewhere else in Europe.

"Certainly I think Ruaidhri is a terrific young coach and has a great idea of the game and picture of what he wants to create.”

Kenny believes Higgins’ capture of both Patrick McEleney and Michael Duffy was also a significant reason behind the club’s successful campaign.

"I think getting Patrick McEleney and Michael Duffy back here was important. They're two really outstanding talents in the league over a period but also great people. They are massive assets to Derry, they’re very talented.”