'That would have been massive': Former Glentoran boss highlights key reason in Duncan Ferguson decision

Ferguson spent the entirety of his playing career at the highest level in Scotland and England before moving into coaching, firstly taking up a role in Everton’s academy and then progressed to the senior set-up.

During his time at Goodison Park, Ferguson served as assistant to Carlo Ancelotti, Rafa Benitez and Frank Lampard.

In Ferguson’s first press conference after being unveiled as Glentoran’s new manager last month, the 54-year-old revealed he’d already been in contact with Everton boss David Moyes.

A popular figure across the United Kingdom and beyond, Young predicts Ferguson will be able to call upon an extensive contact book as he aims to end Glentoran’s long wait for Gibson Cup glory.

"I think that would have been a massive thing for Ali Pour (owner) and Paul Millar (sporting director),” Young told the News Letter. “He has all these contacts in the game.

"I don’t know the financials of the football club, there's players under contract and all that sort of stuff, but, he would have the contacts.

"Someone might say ‘I've got a young kid here’ who Duncan could bring to Glentoran for six months knowing he’s going to be involved with the team.

"I think that would have been huge for Ali and Paul, that would have come into their reckoning, getting a manager who is a legend in the English Premier League, but you’re also going to get somebody who has unbelievable contacts.

"I think that's huge in the modern game, you need those contacts. Agents play a huge part, even in Irish League football.

"When I played Irish League football, agents were there, but they weren't as prevalent as they are now. Duncan will have so many contacts that, hopefully, he gets a chance to utilise.”

Ferguson picked up a point in his first match after Jordan Stewart struck late in Friday’s 1-1 draw against league leaders Coleraine and continues his tenure with a trip to Carrick Rangers this weekend.

A high-profile arrival to the Irish League, Young believes a large portion of neutrals will want Ferguson to succeed in east Belfast – and is certain the playing squad will be motivated to deliver the goods.

"There's loads for him to be positive about as he continues working with the players,” added Young. “ But there’s also the wee things, like in his first game, the ovation he got from the fans...these players will play for him.

"He has that charisma, you just see that and the players will want to play for him.

"He just calls it as it is, but there's this massive, likeable presence.

"There's so many people who want to see him do well – obviously not the opposition – but everybody else wants to see him do well.

"It was only a couple of months ago he was in ITV’s studio in New York for the World Cup, he’s box office.”