Jim Gannon, formerly manager of Stockport County, has been backed heavily to take over at Easter Road.

Forced out of Stockport by financial cutbacks, Gannon had earned widespread praise for the job he did at Edgeley Park.

Victor Chandler spokesman Dave Jenkins said of the betting frenzy on Monday: "They backed Gannon at 14/1 initially and then at 6/1 and then at 7/2.

"It got to the point where they wanted him at any price.

"We were odds-on before we decided to suspend. It was a significant gamble."