Jim Gannon helped to keep Stockport in the Football League in 2006

Ex-Stockport County boss Jim Gannon has emerged as a contender for the vacant Hibernian job after a bookmaker stopped taking bets on him landing the post.

Bookies Victor Chandler said that there was a sudden interest in Gannon when Mixu Paatelainen left last week.

Company spokesman Dave Jenkins said: "They backed Gannon at 14/1 initially then at 6/1 then at 7/2.

"They wanted him at any price. We were odds-on before we decided to suspend. It was a significant gamble."

Gannon was made redundant by cash-strapped County last month after the club were placed into administration.

The 40-year-old London-born Irishman spent the vast majority of his playing career at Edgeley Park, scoring 64 goals in 480 appearances as uncompromising defender.

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