Former Glentoran manager wants club 'hero' to take over after Declan Devine's exit
Former Glentoran manager Scott Young has thrown his support behind Gary Hamilton to be named the club’s new boss following Declan Devine’s exit – insisting The Oval “hero” would get the best out of the current squad.
After just over two years in charge of the Glens, Devine and the Premiership club “mutually agreed” to part ways following Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Bangor, which left them sitting eighth in Northern Ireland's top-flight.
Devine’s departure has left many speculating over who could take over one of the Irish League’s biggest jobs with the likes of former Larne boss Tiernan Lynch likely amongst top contenders.
Young has voiced his support for Hamilton, who won a Premiership title during a successful period as a Glentoran player before transitioning into management with Glenavon.
The former Northern Ireland international led the Lurgan Blues to two Irish Cup crowns and also recorded four top-three Premiership finishes in his near 12-year reign.
Hamilton is currently in charge of third tier Ballymacash Rangers having returned to the dugout in June 2025, but Young feels he could help the Glens transform their fortunes.
"I'd like to see Hammy given a crack,” said Young. “He's not everybody's cup of tea, but the one thing that I think Gary is very, very good at is that, especially his first five, six seasons at Glenavon, he managed to put teams on the pitch that were organised and played for each other.
"Nobody can doubt that. What he did at Glenavon...he won two Irish Cups, ridiculous, he did really well.
"The connection he has with the football club, he was a hero when he played, he won a league championship and he knows what it means.
"I think that the manager that they put in there needs to be a manager that can get the best out of the players that are there because you don't expect the owner to be going ‘I'm going to put more money, more money, more money, more money in’ every transfer window.
"I've no doubt that the manager that's put in there will work with what is there and be told to get results.
"I would like to see Gary being given a crack at it, whether that happens or not, I don’t know.
"It's all about opinions...no matter who is appointed, you'll have a section of fans going, ‘I don't agree with that’.
"The Glenmen really took to Decky, they were desperate for him to succeed because he showed that passion, so it's sad and it's a shame the way it has worked out.”
Devine became the latest manager to prove unsuccessful in his mission to end Glentoran’s long wait for Gibson Cup glory – they last won the title in 2009 – despite recording a new high points tally across that period last season.
Young insists the club’s fans were desperate for former player Devine to succeed as manager, but feels he ultimately fell short.
"The owner came out and said Declan's more or less been given a bit of money here to try and win trophies," added Young. “The reality is that for the resources that he was given, and the money that's been pumped into the football club, it's not been good enough.
"I cannot fault the man at all...his passion for the club, he played for the club, so he knew what it meant.
"Everybody wanted to see him succeed, because we're all desperate to see Glentoran get back on top, but the reality is we never got back on top.
"You saw that the writing was on the wall as such, and I feel sorry for the guy because I've been in that position myself.”