Big-name arrivals: how they have performed in the Irish Premiership
Duncan Ferguson’s appointment as manager of Glentoran is being hailed as one of the most high‑profile signings in the modern history of the Irish League. The former Everton and Rangers striker has agreed to a multi‑year contract at the Oval and, despite admitting he knows little about domestic football, the club is hopeful he can steer them back into a title chase. Ferguson, 54, will make his managerial debut on Saturday against Ballymena United.
He is far from the first well‑known figure to join the Irish Premiership since the competition was rebranded in 2008, and the results have ranged from trophy‑laden spells to brief, forgettable stints.
**Keith Gillespie**
Former Manchester United and Newcastle United winger Keith Gillespie shocked many by signing for Glentoran in 2009 at the age of 34. While his Premier League pedigree raised expectations that he could help the club win successive Gibson Cups, his Irish League spell never really took off. He contributed to a League Cup win but managed only four goals and five assists in 45 games across all competitions. Financial difficulties at the east Belfast side meant Gillespie left at the end of the season after failing to agree a new contract.
**David Healy**
When former Northern Ireland teammate Warren Feeney departed Linfield, the club handed the managerial reins to David Healy in 2015. Healy, a former Leeds United, Fulham, Preston and Sunderland striker, was a relatively untested coach at a club with high expectations. The gamble paid off: Healy has overseen six league titles, two Irish Cups and four League Cups during his tenure. Eleven years on, he remains at Windsor Park and the Blues are already challenging for the championship early in the season.
**Nacho Novo**
Glentoran also attracted former Rangers striker Nacho Novo in 2016, sparking excitement among fans despite the striker being past his peak. The season proved disappointing for both player and club. Novo scored four goals and supplied three assists in 26 appearances, and was handed a six‑match ban – later reduced to three – after an altercation with then‑Crusaders manager Declan Caddell. He departed after just one year.
**Roy Carroll**
Thirteen years after winning the Premier League with Manchester United, Roy Carroll joined Linfield in 2016 following his participation in the European Championship with Northern Ireland. The former United, West Ham and Wigan goalkeeper made an immediate impact, helping Linfield secure two league titles in three seasons, as well as an Irish Cup and a County Antrim Shield in 2017. A knee injury forced him out in January 2019 at the age of 41. After leaving Linfield, Carroll had a brief spell with Dungannon Swifts before finishing his Irish League career at his hometown club Ballinamallard United.
**Niall McGinn**
A key figure in Northern Ireland’s Euro 2016 run, Niall McGinn signed for Glentoran in January 2023 after his long Scottish career began to wind down. The 35‑year‑old winger, who started at Dungannon Swifts before moving to Derry City and Celtic, enjoyed a memorable performance in a 4‑0 victory over rivals Linfield in December 2023. However, his overall contribution was modest, with 16 goals in 61 games over 18 months. He left the Oval at the start of the next season, first on loan to Greenock Morton and then permanently.
**Kyle Lafferty**
Northern Ireland striker Kyle Lafferty arrived at Linfield in February 2023 on a short‑term deal after leaving Kilmarnock. At 35, Lafferty’s peripatetic career had already taken him from Burnley and Rangers to clubs in Italy, Norway, Cyprus and beyond. His spell at Windsor Park was underwhelming; he failed to score in eight appearances and departed at the season’s end. He later criticised Linfield’s professionalism, a claim the club strongly denied.
**Jim Magilton**
Former Premier League and Northern Ireland midfielder Jim Magilton was linked with the Glentoran job before the club confirmed Duncan Ferguson as their new manager.