OWEN Coyle is a natural born winner. That's the view of Partick Thistle boss Ian McCall, who gave the new Burnley boss his first coaching job when he was at Dundee United in 2003.

Coyle is expected to be unveiled as the new Clarets boss this morning after Burnley and his current employers St Johnstone agreed a compensation package - believed to be £130,000 - last night.

The former Saints boss will be introduced to the media at a press conference this morning as long as he agrees personal terms. He will become Burnley's 21st post-war manager.

In just two seasons at St Johnstone, Coyle has turned the club's fortunes around and took the McDiarmid Park side to the brink of promotion to the SPL and to two semi-finals last season.

And Jags boss McCall (right) has seen the 41-year-old former Bolton striker at close quarters and reckons the Clarets have pulled off something of a coup.

He said: "I signed him from Airdrie and I took him to Falkirk where he scored 54 goals in 83 appearances and he never missed a training session.

"He's my best friend in football and his natural enthusiasm is infectious. But I can say without fear of contradiction that he's the worst loser on the planet.

"Even if you beat him at head tennis he'd get in a huff. He's just a natural-born winner and that is what he will want to instil in the players at Burnley.

"Owen's a good coach but it is his ability to motivate his players and get the best out of them that I think will make him a success in England."

Coyle emerged as a late favourite to land the Burnley job, beating Peter Reid the vacant Turf Moor position.

But despite being relatively unknown south of the border, McCall is confident that Coyle has the ability and the aptitude to be a smash-hit at Turf Moor.

He added: "He won't stand for anything less than 100 per cent commitment from his players and anyone who falls short of his standards will soon know about it.

"After his time at Bolton, Owen knows all about what it will take to be a success at Burnley.

"He knows Burnley is a big club and the tradition there and I've no doubt that he will be handle the pressure of being at a club in the English Championship.

"I know he enjoyed his time down there and even though he's a proud Glasgow boy I know he's wanted to go back.

"And I've no doubt that Burnley have made the right choice."