Ferguson, the former Everton caretaker manager and assistant boss in Premier League football, has taken over at the Glens but had his first scheduled Premiership appearance postponed last weekend due to Storm Boelo.

With that home game against Ballymena United called off, Ferguson’s first official game as Glentoran boss will now be on Friday away to league leaders Coleraine at The Showgrounds.

However, he recently teamed up with assistant manager Gary Bollan, first-team player Daniel Larmour and Academy boss Michael Jackson as Glentoran under 13s trained alongside visiting Dundela/Dungoyne players.

The sessions took place thanks to Glentoran’s development partnership with Dundela, with the latter enjoying an established relationship with Dungoyne.

The agreement offers opportunities for a future generation plus coaching support and an exchange of knowledge covering areas including performance analysis, strength and conditioning and player welfare.

“This partnership is about much more than just football sessions,” said Jackson. “It’s about building strong relationships between both clubs and creating opportunities that will benefit young players and coaches at Academy level.

“Our collaboration is designed to bring mutual benefits to both clubs through the sharing of resources, coaching knowledge and ideas, while also developing clear player pathways and opportunities for the professional development of coaches.

“At Glentoran Academy, we firmly believe that working together, sharing knowledge and investing in young players and coaches can only strengthen the future of both clubs.

“It was great to see the players enjoying pizza together in hospitality afterwards and we’re grateful to our Academy partners Pizza Hut for providing it.

“A big thank you to Duncan, Gary and Daniel for giving their time and to everyone who helped make the event a success.

"We’re looking forward to more coaching sessions and events as we continue to build the partnership.”