The 27-year-old defender explains that no specific targets have been set in the Coleraine dressing room but adds that qualifying for Europe has been highlighted as a goal.
Last term the Bannsiders narrowly missed out on a spot in the Europa Conference League as an injury-time Jordan Owens winner gave Crusaders a 3-2 win in the play-off final at Seaview.
“Being full-time some people may expect everything to change overnight but we know it’s not going to be that easy. The last three years we have finished sixth in the league and we have lost in two cup finals so for us to better that, we just want to get off to a good start and see where it takes us.
“For me I want to play in Europe every single year and everyone that’s coming in is being told that Europe is a massive goal.
“I think this year is probably going to be the most exciting and competitive year we have seen because the bottom six have strengthened the most in the league.”
Coleraine start their new campaign on Saturday 10 August with a game away to Shiels’ former club Dungannon, with a home fixture against Ballymena United to follow on 16 August, a game which will be broadcast live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.
Former Coleraine players Jack O’Mahony, Josh Carson and Aaron Jarvis, plus ex-skipper Stephen O’Donnell are all now plying their trade at Ballymena.
“It’s going to be strange. Obviously I lined up in the same team as Stephen O’Donnell, Josh Carson, and other players, but those two mostly for seven years,” reflected Kane.
“Seeing them walk out with Ballymena, side-by-side on the tunnel, it’ll be strange but once you cross the white line I play for Coleraine and they play for Ballymena and we’re all aiming for three points.
“It obviously adds a bit of spice that they are our biggest rivals.”