'I've only got the one player being sick...normally it's two or three' - Duncan Ferguson getting down to business as Glentoran boss talks training, backroom changes, moving to Belfast and more in Q & A

The Glens’ 36-day search to confirm Declan Devine’s replacement has provided one of modern Irish League football’s biggest talking points following a playing career in which Ferguson enjoyed cult hero status with Everton, alongside time at Rangers and Newcastle United.

The former Scotland striker lit up in front of media at his official unveiling on Monday as Glentoran manager when asked about that morning’s first training session with the players.

With a fearsome reputation as one of football’s genuine hard men on and off the pitch – including the famous story of two separate burglars left requiring medical treatment after break-ins at his family home – Ferguson joked at disappointment only one player pulled up in training to be sick from that introduction between manager and squad.

However, beneath the jokes, Ferguson delivered a statement of intent around his goals at Glentoran – initially to close the gap on rivals then establish the Oval outfit, once again, as a serious contender for serious silverware.

Across a wide-ranging interview, Ferguson offered plenty of laughs and sat relaxed alongside club owner Ali Pour at the historic Belfast stadium with a proud and rich tradition now ready to take a step towards a bright future.

Below is a question-and-answer breakdown highlighting Ferguson’s early thoughts on life as Glentoran boss from that first press conference:

On his Irish League knowledge…

"Not a lot, to be honest with you...I've only started watching it maybe the last week.

"I know it's competitive, I know it's very tight, I know the two or three teams at the top are a wee bit ahead of us.

"I know that the league is tight and it's competitive...it's like anything.

"It's hard to win a game in football...it doesn't matter what level you're at, it's going to be tough for us but I think we can get there.”

On his backroom staff…

“I've never spoke to any of them, no (interim managers Paddy McCourt and Tim McCann).

“I think they've done very well, good luck to them in their future careers.

"That's down to the club to speak to them.

"My assistant's Gary Bollan and the goalkeeping coach (Elliott Morris) is still here.

“That's just football, isn't it?

"That's the way it goes...I bring my staff in.

“Unfortunately, the other staff who've been there, they've left."

On moving to Belfast…

“I’ll not be living in Liverpool...I'll be living in the area.

"I'll be fully committed.

“This is it now...all hands on deck and I'll be here every minute of the day to try and make this club as best I can make it and to close the gap with the teams above us.”

Message to the fans…

"Just get behind the team...that's it, get behind the team, keep believing.

"It's what you've done for many a year...stay loyal and get behind the team.

“That's what I'll ask and, hopefully, in the future we can bring the trophies back...if not this season, next season.

"We want to be winners.

"We want to try and win this year, this season...I know it's a big ask, but that's what we'll be trying to do.

"Try to close the gap on the teams above us.”

Early impressions after first training session…

“All fine, no problems at all.

“Probably a wee bit different than they're used to.

“But I've only got the one player being sick, unfortunately!

“Normally it’s two or three in the first session, but I've only got one this time!

“Every coach works differently, everybody works differently.

“But a good set of lads…applied themselves well, as you can imagine.

“There was a good tempo.

“My first impressions are good…I've got a good squad, they're good players.

“That's why they're at the football club, they've been brought in for a reason.

“We're sitting third in the league just now, so it shows you that they're capable of winning matches.

“We've got a good squad in there and, hopefully, I can bring the best out of them.”

On his management style…

“I do the coaching, I like my boots on the grass.

“That's my first session I've done for two years so I was a wee bit out of breath myself.

“I wasn't quite as fast as I used to be.

“I like getting involved with the coaching.

“I take the training sessions, I'm hands-on.

“I like being around the players and doing the coaching.”

On his plans over the next few days…

“We’ll be in working…we’ll build up to Saturday.

“I'll get the boys set up tactically during the week.

“Today was an introduction session, really, because the boys were coming off the game on Saturday.

“Tomorrow (Tuesday) we'll do a tactical session.

“Wednesday we'll shape up for the game on Saturday.”

On trophy expectations over fire-fighting missions at previous clubs…

“It's a bit different, isn't it?

“The last couple of jobs I had, well, Everton...fighting relegation.

"And then Forest Green at the bottom of the league and so on.

“This one's got different ambitions, much closer to the top.

“When you're at the bottom of the league that's a much more pressurised position.

“Obviously, we're under pressure to win trophies and get to the top and win games.

“But I'm looking forward to it.

“We've got a good squad of players, so, hopefully, we'll be competitive and we'll win matches.​”

On his tactical approach…

“I’ve not really got a preferred formation, really.

“I'll change it any way I want to change it, depending on the personnel, depending on who we're playing against, depending on what formations we're playing against.

“If we're stronger than them, I might go a bit different.

“If we feel as if they're a bit stronger than us, I might go a bit different.

“I can change it.

"But it's all about the players.

“And that's the way I go. I've not got nothing really preferred…I can adapt it.

On Boxing Day’s ‘Big Two’ derby with Linfield…

“Yes...but it’s down the line.

"I'm only concentrating on the next game.

"Obviously, when we get there, it's a big rivalry.

"And Boxing Day's great for football, isn't it?

"A fantastic fixture for us all.

"But, you know, first things first...let's get this Saturday done before we get to Boxing Day."