Duncan Ferguson’s appointment as Glentoran manager sparked increased interest in the Irish League last week but Storm Boelo on Saturday forced the Everton cult hero to delay his dug-out debut until Friday night when the high-profile addition admitted “there’s a wee bit of nerves there”.

Speaking to BBC Sport NI ahead of kick-off against Premiership leaders Coleraine, Ferguson accepted “nerves” but also “I’m really looking forward to tonight”.

"I’m absolutely delighted to be here...it’s a great opportunity for myself, I’m really looking forward to tonight,” said Ferguson.

When asked about pre-match nerves, the former Premier League striker with Everton and Newcastle United added: “Absolutely...I get nervous all the time.

placeholder image — Glentoran manager Duncan Ferguson salutes the away supporters in Coleraine ahead of kick-off for his first fixture as Irish League manager. (Photo by Desmond Loughery/Pacemaker)

"It’s exciting for me, it’s my first game, it’s a tough match...we’re at the top team in the league.

"Yeah, there’s a wee bit of nerves there just to see how we’ll perform but this will give us a gauge to see where we are with the top teams in the league."

With Storm Boelo resulting in his anticipated home bow against Ballymena United in Belfast postponed last weekend, it proved a demanding first taste of Irish League football with a trip to take on league leaders Coleraine holding a 14-point gap over the Glens.

Ferguson took the weekend woe as an opportunity to travel across Belfast and watch Coleraine defeat 10-man Crusaders by 5-0.

"Very impressed and they’ve only made one change to that starting line-up,” said Ferguson when asked about Coleraine before Friday’s first whistle. “Very good team, obviously the other team (Crusaders) had a man sent off but they (Coleraine) were the better team and they scored a lot of goals, some lovely strikes from outside the box.

"So we’ll have to be wary and make sure we’re closing down because they’re very good from long shots.”

Ferguson’s first starting selection featured three changes to the side picked in victory over Limavady United prior to his arrival – with Zeno Rossi, Jordan Stewart and James Douglas replacing Ross Clarke, Daniel Larmour and Jack Malone in the initial eleven.

Ferguson was asked about striker Pat Hoban and Conor McMenamin, the latter a summer signing from Coleraine by Glentoran.

The Glens boss highlighted “two great players” before explaining “Pat’s a wee bit behind in his fitness but, hopefully, will get some minutes tonight” and how “Conor’s a great player...he’s really done well in training so, hopefully, he’ll step up tonight”.

GLENTORAN: Andrew Mills, Ryan Cooney, Marcus Kane (captain), Zeno Rossi, Aaron McEneff, Jordan Stewart, Greg Sloggett, Ethan Schilte-Brown, Conor McMenamin, Jordan Jenkins, James Douglas.

Subs: Billy Crellin, Ross Clarke, Pat Hoban, Jarlath O'Rourke, Daniel Larmour, Jack Malone, Cal Weatherup.