Former Glentoran star clear 'if you're not going to run, you're not going to play' for Duncan Ferguson after 'brilliant start'
Former Glentoran star Shane McCabe believes Duncan Ferguson laid down an early marker with an “absolutely brilliant start” at Coleraine – and can already tell “if you're not going to run and work hard, you're not going to play for him”.
Eleven days after his high-profile Oval appointment, Ferguson stood on an Irish League touchline for the first time at The Showgrounds, claiming a point against the table-toppers thanks to Jordan Stewart’s late equaliser.
Ferguson’s arrival has undoubtedly boosted the Premiership’s profile with the ex-Everton striker a cult figure in English football.
McCabe, who was part of the last Glens side to celebrate Gibson Cup glory, feels Ferguson has already set out his non-negotiables after a single match – and insists it’s now up to the players to deliver on that message.
"It's a fantastic coup by Glentoran to get someone of his personality and charisma into the league,” McCabe told the News Letter. “It's all about results on the pitch, we get that, but to have him in the league is absolutely unbelievable.
"I have to give Windy (Paul) Millar (sporting director) and Ali Pour (owner) huge credit for getting him into the league, now it's up to him to show that he's well able for it.
"If those Glentoran players don't know now what he wants and what he's going to ask for, they shouldn't be at the club...if you're not going to run and work hard, you're not going to play for him.
"You can imagine the first clear out at that club will be people that aren't going to run and work hard. That's going to be a basic.
"He'll want a bit of class as well, but he seems to be all in in relation to hunger, heart and desire, which isn’t a surprise to anyone that watched him as a player.
"Damien Duff going to the League of Ireland and Shelbourne...we’re behind the League of Ireland, but one or two appointments like this can only bring massive strides forward off the pitch for what clubs want – more people and more money coming in.
"It's a brilliant appointment and I can't wait to bring my boys up to watch a Glentoran match.”
Glentoran produced a much-improved second half display after Joel Cooper had put the hosts ahead – and McCabe believes Ferguson deserves credit for the use of his bench.
"It’s an absolutely brilliant start,” added McCabe. “As much as he may have watched matches and he may have let on that he knew about certain individuals, he'll only get to know them when he comes up against them.
"Coleraine are flying, they're the best team in the league. Joel Cooper whips one into the top corner, which he's always liable to do.
"You have to give credit to Duncan and his coaches, they made some great changes and cleared the bench – Jarlath O’Rourke, Ross Clarke, Pat Hoban and Jack Malone.
"Stewart is one of those players that is catching a bit of fire and when Stewart's on it, Glentoran are a different team.
"It was a brilliant response. I think he played down the changes, but football people would understand that he made the right ones.”