The hiring of Duncan Ferguson to lead Glentoran stands out as a major event in Irish League history.

The Everton and Rangers icon has agreed to a multi-year contract at the Oval. Although he admits limited familiarity with local football, the club remains hopeful he can restore them to championship contention.

Yet Ferguson, aged 54, follows a line of well-known personalities who have entered the Irish Premiership in recent times, whether as players or coaches.

Outcomes have varied widely, ranging from trophy-filled tenures to brief and unremarkable stays since the league adopted its current name in 2008.

As Ferguson prepares for his debut against Ballymena United on Saturday, it is worth reviewing how earlier high-profile arrivals performed across the past 18 years.

Keith Gillespie

Considerable interest surrounded Northern Ireland winger Keith Gillespie's unexpected transfer to Glentoran in 2009.

At 34 his peak years had passed, yet his Premier League background with Newcastle United and Manchester United raised hopes he might deliver consecutive Gibson Cups for the club.

In reality his time in the Irish League proved underwhelming. A League Cup triumph occurred, but he managed only four goals and five assists across 45 appearances in all competitions.

Gillespie left at the close of the season after contract talks collapsed amid the east Belfast side's financial difficulties.

David Healy

Stepping into the position vacated by fellow Northern Ireland veteran Warren Feeney at Linfield, David Healy received his initial managerial opportunity at Windsor Park in 2015.

A Northern Ireland great with extensive experience in England's top two tiers at clubs including Leeds United, Fulham, Preston and Sunderland, the appointment carried risk given the high standards at the club.

Nevertheless Healy has enjoyed a prosperous spell, securing six league titles, two Irish Cups and four League Cups.

More than a decade later he remains in charge at Windsor Park, with the Blues again competing for the title in the current campaign.

Nacho Novo

Ferguson is not the first prominent former Rangers striker to join the Oval.

Excitement surrounded Nacho Novo's arrival at Glentoran in 2016 despite the forward being past his best.

However the campaign brought disappointment in a struggling team and he departed after one season.

Novo recorded four goals and three assists in 26 appearances and received a six-game ban, later reduced, in January 2017 for an attempted headbutt on current Crusaders manager Declan Caddell.

Roy Carroll

Thirteen years after lifting the Premier League with Manchester United, Carroll signed for Linfield in 2016 following Northern Ireland's Euros participation.

The experienced goalkeeper, who had played for West Ham and Wigan among others, delivered immediate success with two league titles in three seasons plus an Irish Cup and County Antrim Shield in 2017.

Carroll contributed his know-how throughout his spell, which ended prematurely due to a knee injury in January 2019 at age 41.

After leaving Linfield he had a stint at Dungannon Swifts before finishing his career at hometown club Ballinamallard United.

Niall McGinn

A standout from Northern Ireland's Euro 2016 squad, Niall McGinn moved to Glentoran in January 2023 once his Scottish career wound down.

The transfer represented a return for the 35-year-old winger, who had begun at Dungannon Swifts 15 years earlier before progressing to Derry City and Celtic.

After early struggles with form and fitness he earned praise for an outstanding performance in a 4-0 victory over rivals Linfield in December 2023.

Yet with 16 goals in 61 appearances over 18 months his overall contribution remained modest, leading to his exit at the start of the next season, initially on loan to Greenock Morton before a permanent departure.

Kyle Lafferty

Northern Ireland forward Kyle Lafferty arrived as a notable signing for Linfield in February 2023 on a short-term deal following his release from Kilmarnock.

At 35 his extensive career had included Burnley, Rangers, Norwich City and Hearts as well as spells abroad with Palermo, Sarpsborg 08, Reggina and Anorthosis Famagusta.

The move yielded little success and Lafferty failed to score in eight appearances.

After departing at the season's end he questioned the club's professionalism, a claim Linfield firmly rejected.

Jim Magilton

Former Premier League and Northern Ireland midfielder Jim Magilton took charge at Cliftonville in July 2023.

While his appointment generated less surprise than some others listed here, given a decade of coaching experience on the island, he still brought substantial pedigree to the division.

In 2024 he guided Cliftonville to their first Irish Cup since 1979 along with the BetMcLean Cup the following year.

Magilton had been linked with the Glentoran position prior to Ferguson's arrival, and the Reds have endured a challenging start to the new season.