Former Glentoran star Shane McCabe believes “top character” Duncan Ferguson would help boost the Irish League’s profile if appointed as new manager at The Oval – but feels looking outside of Northern Ireland represents “a big risk” for his old club.

Everton legend Ferguson is the latest man to be linked with the Glens vacancy – the News Letter understands the Belfast club held talks with the Scotsman but no final decision on Declan Devine’s successor has yet been made.

Glentoran have been without a permanent boss since Devine departed in mid-September with Paddy McCourt and Tim McCann leading them to three wins and a draw across their four Premiership matches as an interim team.

Cliftonville’s Jim Magilton was identified as Glentoran’s number one target before turning down an approach, and McCabe, who won the Gibson Cup during his time at The Oval, feels there’s value in looking closer to home.

placeholder image — Former Everton striker Duncan Ferguson has been linked with the Glentoran job. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

"I'm pleasantly surprised (there’s not been an appointment) in a way because they're hopefully doing their due diligence,” McCabe told the News Letter. “I think you need to know the league.

"I think you need to have a good knowledge of the way the league's played and the leagues around it as well.

"I would always try and have someone that's local, has good expertise and has a good management style, but again, if there's a real top class candidate – Ian Baraclough managed at international level, his CV is first class.

"Who wouldn't like to see Duncan Ferguson standing on the sideline in a big league derby?

"I think that's (lack of Irish League experience) the big risk.

"The football has definitely improved in relation to the technical element and speed of the game, but I’d always try and see if there's a solution in Northern Ireland.

"That is where I would look first and foremost because it takes managers from the outside four or five months to understand the league.

"When you're at Glentoran, if you're not getting results for two or three weeks, never mind two or three months, you're in big trouble.

"That's the gamble that they're going to take if they go outside. Is there the right candidate internally? I'm not so sure but I hope that they're doing their due diligence.”

Ferguson spent the majority of his playing career in the Premier League after joining Everton from Rangers in 1994 and moved into management on a permanent basis with Forest Green Rovers in 2023.

The 54-year-old won just one of 18 games across a short stint in charge of Rovers and spent less than a year with Inverness Caledonian Thistle, who suffered from significant financial troubles.

While McCabe would love to see a character like Ferguson in the Irish League, he’s unsure if it’s the best fit for Glentoran – but highlighted the importance of resolving the managerial situation soon.

"It would be brilliant to see Duncan and David Healy in a Boxing Day derby,” added McCabe. “He’s a top character and an unbelievable footballer back in his day...he would bring some charisma to the Irish League.

"The impact of great personalities can't be underestimated and bringing Duncan Ferguson in as a character would be brilliant, but as a manager, I'm not quite sure.

"You don't want this to drag on and on because then players are uncertain, spectators are uncertain, results can fall by the wayside when you're not actually playing for the manager that is going to be there.

"The two guys that have stepped in have done well, but the sooner it can be resolved, the better for clarity and how the club can move forward.”