Former Glentoran manager Scott Young has dismissed any potential fears that appointing Duncan Ferguson was a risk for the club – declaring the move as “one million percent a no-brainer”.

Ferguson, who enjoyed spells at Rangers, Everton and Newcastle United as a player, was confirmed as Declan Devine’s successor last month and took charge of his first Glens game in Friday’s 1-1 Premiership draw against Coleraine.

The 54-year-old worked under Carlo Ancelotti, Rafa Benitez and Frank Lampard as an assistant at the Toffees and managed his former club as an interim boss in the Premier League.

Ferguson previously held two senior managerial positions at Forest Green Rovers and Inverness Caledonian Thistle, and while neither went to plan for the Scotsman, Young insists Glentoran were right to make their move.

placeholder image — Glentoran manager Duncan Ferguson. (Photo by Desmond Loughery/Pacemaker Press)

"There's no way that I thought you’d attract somebody of that stature,” Young told the News Letter. “He's honest enough to admit as well it's an opportunity for him because he can't get that opportunity in Scotland or England.

"You'll get people saying it's a risk because of his previous two managerial experiences, but this guy has shared dressing rooms with and played against the best players in the world.

"There is no risk. The owner has put his hand in his pocket, Duncan's obviously on a decent wage, it's attracted him to come to the football club and they have sold the football club to him.

"It is one million percent a no-brainer for the owner of the football club to appoint Duncan Ferguson.

"When you've got somebody of that stature and you can attract them, if it doesn't go well, it was a so-called gamble worth taking.

"The boost to the league, the boost to the club, the extra seats. I think it's great for the football club, and I think it's great for the Irish League.”

Nearly 4,000 fans packed inside The Showgrounds for Ferguson’s first match, making it one of the highest-attended fixtures of the season so far.

Ferguson’s fellow countryman Young first arrived in Northern Ireland to sign for the Glens in 1998, winning three Premiership titles and a hat-trick of Irish Cup crowns before going on to manage the east Belfast club.

Across his near 30-year association with the Irish League, Young insists Ferguson stands alone as the highest-profile arrival – and believes he’ll have a huge impact.

"Ali Pour deserves so much credit for having the audacity to even approach him and have discussions,” added Young. “I remember watching him at Rangers and still have huge fondness for him...it’s surreal that he’s now managing Glentoran.

"It's going to take him at least two, three months to assess everything – the players, the league, the set-up, formations, the style of football he wants to play.

"But I just think it's brilliant...look at the crowd that was at the game on Friday night.

"I think it was going to be a good crowd anyway because Coleraine are top of the league and Glentoran always bring a great support, but an icon in Duncan Ferguson in charge...I've been in Northern Ireland since 1998, there hasn't been a bigger name than Duncan Ferguson.

"I’m just desperate to see him do well at Glentoran.”