First of all, on behalf of all Clarets supporters, I am excited that Owen Coyle should be on his way to Turf Moor.

It's an intriguing move and I'm very happy with it.

Brendan Flood said that he wanted a new manager that would capture the imagination and Coyle has done that.

I think the fans will react positively to the appointment, but also cautiously because they won't know a great deal about him.

I must confess, I don't know too much about Coyle as a manager either.

He's an unknown quantity, but he's achieved some degree of success with St Johnstone.

Last season, he guided them to two cup semi-finals.

He took Celtic to the wire in the Scottish Cup, losing 2-1, and forced Hibs into extra-time in the CIS Cup.

That's very impressive for a club in the Scottish First Division, so Coyle must have something about him.

He's obviously got some sort of pedigree and has all the coaching skills.

It's also been said that Scotland boss Alex McLeish gave him a glowing reference to messrs Flood and Kilby, so that shows how much confidence he has in Coyle's ability to manage at this level.

I genuinely believe there are real grounds for optimism with Coyle on board.

Flood has stated that he wanted a young northern manager - and Coyle is very northern!

He was also looking for someone with an association with Burnley. Coyle doesn't have that, but two out of three isn't bad.

But being a former Bolton player, he will know all about the North West and should have good contacts.

There were other bigger' names being touted about for the Clarets job, but I'm delighted that he's been given the chance ahead of someone like Peter Reid.

So many managerial appointments nowadays are risks, but I think this is certainly a risk worth taking.

Good luck Owen!