Hamilton may get Everton post

BRYAN HAMILTON, the Northern Ireland manager, will seriously consider turning his back on international football if he is offered…

BRYAN HAMILTON, the Northern Ireland manager, will seriously consider turning his back on international football if he is offered a senior post by Everton.

Hamilton could well be invited to become assistant to former England manager Bobby Robson if he decides to accept Everton's offer to succeed Joe Royle who resigned last month.

Robson is currently in charge at Barcelona but he is expected to leave Spain this summer and return to club management in England for the first time in 15 years.

Hamilton made 47 senior appearances for Everton between 1975 and 1977 and still lives on Merseyside. Although he has overseen something of a revival in Northern Ireland's fortunes since his appointment in 1994, his contract expires later this year.

∙ It is decision day at the top and bottom of the Irish League Premier Division. Crusaders will win the championship if they avoid defeat against second placed Coleraine at Seaview, while Ards and Cliftonville fight it out at Castlereagh Park to decide who occupies the relegation place.

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