Arabic version: فيرغوسون يبدأ مهمته مع غلينتوران بتعادل أمام كوليرين

According to BBC News, Duncan Ferguson began his Glentoran managerial career with a 1-1 draw away to Irish Premiership leaders Coleraine. Jordan Stewart headed a late equaliser with two minutes remaining after Joel Cooper’s first-half goal had put the hosts ahead.

Ferguson’s first scheduled fixture, against Ballymena United, had been postponed because of a waterlogged pitch at the Oval. The former Everton striker said he had been nervous before facing Coleraine, but described the result as a relief after Glentoran fought back on the north coast.

“My first game didn’t happen with Ballymena, and all of a sudden my next game is away at the league leaders,” Ferguson said. “It’s not easy. The boys performed great and they done their club proud.”

Glentoran adopted a solid approach against a Coleraine side described as the division’s highest scorers this season. Ferguson said his team had been “too passive in our shape” for Cooper’s opener, while Matthew Shevlin struck the post and goalkeeper Andrew Mills made strong saves. However, the visitors pressed forward after the restart and Ferguson felt they went “toe-to-toe” with their opponents in the second half.

The Scottish manager, who previously had spells with Forest Green Rovers and Inverness Caledonian Thistle as well as two interim periods in charge of Everton, has been building knowledge of the Irish Premiership with help from Elliott Morris and Andy Matheson. He watched Coleraine beat Crusaders at Seaview and attended a Glentoran Under-20s match at Dungannon Swifts before his debut. Ferguson’s second game will be away to Carrick Rangers.