Image source, Pacemaker PressImage caption, Ferguson's first game as Glentoran manager will be live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website
ByLauren McCannBBC Sport NI Journalist- Published52 minutes ago
Duncan Ferguson's highly anticipated first game as Glentoran boss will come six days later than first expected, but it will be a real baptism of fire for the former Everton striker as his side face leaders Coleraine.
As first games go there are few tougher than taking on the Bannsiders at their Showgrounds home in a game under the Friday night lights that will be live on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website.
While Coleraine did suffer their sole defeat of the season at home to a resurgent Linfield last month, they have since bounced back in style to win their next four and open up a two-point gap over the Blues, which can be extended with a win on Friday.
With the Glens' game against Ballymena United on Saturday postponed because of a waterlogged pitch, Ferguson opted to make the trip to Seaview to see Ruaidhri Higgins' side dispatch 10-man Crusaders 5-0 for himself.
That will have given him plenty of food for thought as to how to combat the in-form table toppers as he embarks on the latest chapter of his young managerial career.
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Glentoran are 14 points off Coleraine after a poor start to the season, but they are unbeaten in their past five games in the league following a 2-1 loss at the Oval against the Bannsiders.
A run that included four wins and a draw under joint interim managers Tim McCann and Paddy McCourt has helped the Glens up to fourth in the table.
A precious victory at the Showgrounds would move them level on points with Larne and send out a strong statement that Ferguson can handle the Irish Premiership, despite his limited knowledge of the league.
Ferguson, whose previous short stints as a manager came at Forest Green Rovers and Inverness, has had a week and a half to prepare his side for this fixture following the stunning announcement of his arrival on 19 October and the postponement of the Ballymena game.
In his first press conference he spoke about ensuring his team is one that will "really run, run and run".
He acknowledged that while they have the joint best defensive record in the league, having shipped just 10 goals in their 12 games, the Glens have "lacked in creating chances" and therefore need to play "attacking football".
The return to full fitness of star striker Pat Hoban should help Ferguson's side, who have scored just 16 goals this season, 15 fewer than Coleraine.
All eyes will be on 'Big Dunc' at the Showgrounds, with even Coleraine boss Higgins acknowledging that his team "might be a bit of a sideshow" given the attention and expectation surrounding the Scotsman.
Whatever the result it is set to be a memorable Irish League moment and Ferguson's fortunes at the club will be an intriguing subplot for the rest of the domestic season.
