Duncan Ferguson's first match as Glentoran manager finished in a 1-1 draw away to Irish Premiership leaders Coleraine. The game came after a scheduled opener against Ballymena United was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
Ferguson admitted he was nervous before kick-off, a feeling amplified by a viral video of him searching for the WiFi password at the Oval. On the field, Glentoran adopted a cautious approach in the first half and fell behind when Joel Cooper curled a superb strike into the top corner. The visitors improved after the break and earned a deserved equaliser when Jordan Stewart headed home with two minutes remaining.
"It's a relief. At the end of the day you are under pressure," Ferguson said afterwards. "My first game didn't happen with Ballymena, and all of a sudden my next game is away at the league leaders. It's not easy. The boys performed great and they done their club proud." He added that he would have accepted a draw before the match "100%."
The former Everton striker, who also had two interim spells as Everton manager, has had previous managerial roles at Forest Green Rovers and Inverness Caledonian Thistle. Since his appointment he has been leaning on club staff such as Elliott Morris and Andy Matheson to build his knowledge of the Irish Premiership.
Ferguson watched Coleraine's win over Crusaders and attended a Glentoran Under-20s match during the week. He now turns his attention to preparing for Saturday's away fixture at Carrick Rangers, stressing that "it's not all about tactics, it's about fire, determination and about running."
