Ferguson ran the rule over his squad on Monday after taking charge at The Oval and made it clear that hard work will be non-negotiable

Duncan Ferguson has wasted no time putting Glentoran's players through the wringer — with one of them vomiting during his first training session.

And the new Glens boss joked he was disappointed with the return, having usually managed to leave two or three players reaching for the sick bucket on day one.

Ferguson ran the rule over his squad on Monday after taking charge at The Oval and made it clear that hard work will be non-negotiable under his management.

“The session was probably a wee bit different to what they're used to, but I only got one player being sick unfortunately,” said the Everton legend.

“Normally I'd get two or three in the first session but I only got one this time.

“But a good set of lads, applied themselves well. Good tempo to the training.

“To be fair, the young lad had drunk a bit too much water.

“So we gave them a wee bit of a harder session than they were probably used to.

“That's normal for me. That's the way I want to work.”

The 54-year-old admitted he was feeling the effects himself after getting back on the training pitch for the first time in two years.

“I do the coaching,” he said. “I like getting involved with the coaching. I take the training sessions, I'm hands-on.

“I like being around the players and doing the coaching. I enjoyed it. I was a wee bit out of breath but I enjoyed it.”

Ferguson has inherited a Glentoran side sitting third in the Premiership but facing a sizeable gap to the leading clubs.

And the former Scotland international, whose managerial career has included difficult spells with Forest Green Rovers and Inverness Caledonian Thistle, is relishing the prospect of chasing trophies rather than battling the drop.

“The last couple of jobs I had, everything was the same. Fighting relegation,” he said.

“They were the worst teams in the league when I took over.

“This one's got different ambitions, much closer to the top. So there's not as much pressure as when you're at the bottom of the league.

“Obviously we're under pressure to win trophies and get to the top and win games. But I'm looking forward to it.”

Ferguson believes his new charges are capable of narrowing the gap on their rivals and has promised supporters an energetic, attacking approach.

“I'll bring a football team that will really run and run and run,” he declared.

“I'll push them as hard as I possibly can and hopefully I'll set them up tactically well as well.

“I think defensively we've been very good but maybe just lacked a wee bit in terms of creating chances.

“So hopefully we can play attacking football and continue to defend as well as we've been defending.”

Ferguson has also been quick to exploit his Everton connections, revealing he has already contacted David Moyes about potential reinforcements.

“Believe it or not, I've already texted the manager,” he said.

“I texted him last night and he kindly enough answered my text. He said he'll keep an eye out for some players for me.

“But we'll assess the squad first. Everybody will get their chance.”

Ferguson admitted he has plenty to learn about his new surroundings, having only started watching Irish League football last week.

But his ambition is clear — to end Glentoran's long wait for a league title.

“Hopefully in the future we can bring the trophies back, if not this season, next season,” he added.

“We want to try and win this year, this season. I know it's a big ask but that's what we'll be trying to do.”