Ferguson signed goalkeeper Dibaga for Inverness Caledonian Thistle in 2024, providing him with a first opportunity in professional football.

Dibaga was named Inverness’ Player of the Year during his sole season – form which earned him a move to Crusaders before returning to the Scottish game last summer with Neil Lennon’s Dunfermline Athletic.

The 26-year-old was also called up to The Gambia's senior national team squad for the first time during his spell at Inverness.

With Ferguson an FA Cup winner who made 269 Premier League appearances and played on the international stage for Scotland, Dibaga admits he carried a special aura.

"I'll always be very grateful to him because he gave me the opportunity to sign my first professional contract,” Dibaga told the News Letter. “I did enjoy working under him.

"I was signed as a second goalkeeper but after an injury to Jack Newman, Duncan gave me the confidence and trusted me to play.

"I played well and that's what happens when a manager gives you confidence and trust.

"He had an amazing career and it's good to have a manager like him...he has a big name, he taught us and gave us advice on what to do.

"It's an extra motivation (playing for someone like Ferguson), somebody that's been in the big leagues.

"You always learn something from him and it's a big motivation...you listen to him because he's been at the highest of the high.”

Ferguson served as Thistle boss throughout a turbulent time with the club suffering from financial difficulties before entering administration – the ex-Rangers striker worked for free at a stage to help ease pressure.

A cult hero in English football, Ferguson was known for his aggressive playing style and physicality, but the 54-year-old adopted a very different approach in management to help lead Dibaga and his team-mates through a period of uncertainty.

"He was like a father figure for the players,” added Dibaga. “He took care of us and put himself as a shield to the outside to protect us.

"It wasn't the best situation when we were at Inverness and he was a big help for the players to allow us to just enjoy and focus on football.

"He was on the pitch with us doing passes, he was in the centre of the pitch just instructing everybody where to be and what he wanted us to do when we were on the pitch so he was pretty involved. He definitely still has his left foot!”

Ferguson is preparing to take charge of his first match as Glentoran boss on Friday evening when his side travel to league leaders Coleraine.

He’s the latest manager tasked with bringing success to east Belfast, and Dibaga believes he can make an impact.

"Glentoran is a big club and with his help, I reckon they’ll do well,” said Dibaga. “It's going to be good for the media having a name like him in the league.

"He’s going to draw a lot of attention to Glentoran so we'll see how he does.”