Carnlough native Brendan Rodgers is now hot favourite to succeed Ange Postecoglou at Celtic - and it will be another major payday for the Co Antrim if the board can talk him into a return.
Rodgers began his career as a defender at Ballymena United, where he stayed until he was signed by Reading at the age of 18, although a genetic knee condition forced him to retire at age 20. He has enjoyed some great days in management however, not least at Celtic Park.
He has some making up to do with the fans after his exit for Leicester where the Parkhead loyal accused him of chasing the money and the bright lights of the Premier League, walking out on the verge of a 'treble Treble' for a return to England. In the end he had mixed results at the King Power; he brought Champions League football back for the first time since the Ranieri glory days and won the FA Cup but it ended under a shroud as he was dismissed amid a relegation battle last season.
