Former Everton striker Duncan Ferguson will take charge of his first game as Glentoran manager on Friday night when his side travel to face Irish Premiership leaders Coleraine at the Showgrounds. The match, which will be broadcast live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website, comes six days later than originally scheduled after Glentoran's weekend fixture against Ballymena United was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
Tough opening test
Coleraine sit two points clear at the top of the table after winning their last four matches, including a 5-0 victory over 10-man Crusaders that Ferguson attended in person. The Bannsiders' only home defeat this season came against Linfield last month. Glentoran, meanwhile, are 14 points behind the leaders but have climbed to fourth place after an unbeaten run of five league games under joint interim managers Tim McCann and Paddy McCourt.
Ferguson's early impact
Ferguson, who previously had short managerial spells at Forest Green Rovers and Inverness, has had a week and a half to prepare since his appointment was announced on 19 October. In his first press conference he emphasized a high‑energy approach, saying he wants a team that will "really run, run and run." He acknowledged Glentoran's joint‑best defensive record of 10 goals conceded in 12 games but noted the side has "lacked in creating chances" and must play "attacking football." The return to fitness of striker Pat Hoban, who has scored 16 goals this season compared to Coleraine's 31, could bolster the attack.
Spotlight on the new boss
Coleraine manager Ruaidhri Higgins admitted his team "might be a bit of a sideshow" given the attention surrounding Ferguson's arrival. A victory for Glentoran would move them level on points with third‑placed Larne and signal Ferguson's ability to adapt to the Irish Premiership despite his limited prior knowledge of the league.
