Ferguson earns point in first Irish League match as Glentoran manager
Duncan Ferguson's Glentoran debut ended in a 1-1 draw at league leaders Coleraine, with Jordan Stewart's late header rescuing a point.
Duncan Ferguson began his Glentoran tenure with a 1-1 draw away to Irish Premiership leaders Coleraine, a result he described as a "relief" after a turbulent build-up to his first match. The former Everton striker's scheduled opener against Ballymena United had been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch at the Oval, leaving him to face the division's top side instead.
Coleraine, the league's highest scorers this season, took the lead through Joel Cooper's curling finish after a first half in which Ferguson admitted his side were "too passive in our shape." Matthew Shevlin struck a post and Glentoran goalkeeper Andrew Mills made several saves as the hosts pressed for a second.
Glentoran improved after the restart, pushing forward and earning a deserved equaliser when Jordan Stewart headed home with two minutes remaining. Ferguson said his players showed "determination and resilience" and that he would have accepted a draw beforehand. He noted the result avoided leaving his side significantly further behind Coleraine in the table.
Ferguson, whose appointment was among the Irish League's most high-profile in years, has spoken openly of his limited knowledge of the division and has relied on Elliott Morris and Andy Matheson at the Oval. He attended Coleraine's win over Crusaders at Seaview and a Glentoran Under-20s match during the week, and said he would return to his "homework" before his next fixture, away to Carrick Rangers.
The buildup had been dominated by a viral video of Ferguson searching the Oval for the WiFi password. On the touchline against Coleraine he was largely restrained, apart from one rebuke from the fourth official, occasionally shouting instructions and applauding his players.
Image: Press Eye / BBC Sport
