Coleraine manager Ruaidhri Higgins says Duncan Ferguson's arrival in the Irish Premiership as Glentoran manager will boost the profile of the league significantly.

The league leaders will host the Glens for Ferguson's first match in charge of the east Belfast outfit at Ballycastle Road on Friday night (19:45 GMT), with the game being shown live on the BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website.

Following confirmation of the former Everton assistant's appointment to succeed Declan Devine as Glentoran boss last week, the Oval outfit had been scheduled to host Ballymena United on Saturday.

However, the match fell victim of Storm Boelo and was postponed.

"A huge character. I know people who know him personally and say he is a fantastic fellow," said Higgins of Ferguson when speaking to BBC Sport NI after Saturday's 5-0 win over Crusaders at Seaview.

"He'll add a lot to the league I'm sure, a big personality.

"He's a household name so in terms of profile for the league it will be huge and I'm looking forward to meeting him.

"But hopefully we can take three points off him next week. I wish him luck after next Friday!".

'We might be a bit of a sideshow'

The ex-Everton, Rangers and Newcastle United striker faces a formidable challenge in his opening game against a Bannsiders team who have dropped just five points in their opening 13 games this season.

Higgins' side have won all of their away fixtures to date - including a 2-1 win over the Glens on 15 September, 24 hours after Devine's departure on 15 - but also boast an enviable home record with four wins, a draw and a solitary loss to Linfield.

"It's just accumulating as many points as we can as early as we can," outlined Higgins.

"It's a phenomenal points return so far but we go into a difficult week against Glentoran and we need to get ready.

"The fact that I know that all the attention is going to be on him [Ferguson] and Glentoran next week, it's his first game in charge, so we might be a bit of a sideshow but we'll certainly be looking to take the points at home.

"We have a very proud home record over the last year or so so we want to keep that going."