GLEN LITTLE may be a current star at Turf Moor but he is also a hero on the other side of the Irish Sea.

But while Clarets fans are hoping his exploits will fire the club into the Premier League, his former followers at Glentoran just hope that his form will continue to increase his value in the transfer market.

Billy Hamilton is a Burnley legend from another era and it was thanks to him that the club first found and then signed Little.

Now he explained: "Glen Little is still very big news over here, the papers are always reporting on him.

"That is because Glentoran has got a lot of money troubles at the moment and they are know they will receive 25 per cent of any fee that Burnley may get for him.

"The way he is playing that could be a lot of money."

Both manager Stan Ternent and chairman Barry Kilby have repeatedly stressed that Little is not for sale.

Hamilton is also hoping that he will not be sold as he wants him to help the Clarets go up.

"I think Glen is a unique player, I certainly never played with anyone like him," said the former Northern Ireland striker who made 252 appearances for the Clarets between 1979 and 1984.

"When I first saw him I was the manager of Distillery and when we were up against Glen I would always put my best defender, or even two defenders, up against him.

"But no matter who did what I still watched him destroy teams all on his own. He is so unorthodox, you just can't tell what he is going to do next.

"He always looked tall and ungainly but he has a bit of pace and I have always been impressed by him."

Hamilton recommended Little to manager Adrian Heath but he admitted: "They sent Clive Middlemiss over to have a look at him and, to be honest, he did not do much.

"But Burnley still took him on trial, he impressed at Turf Moor and the rest is history."

Hamilton is hoping that the next chapter in that particular history book involves stories of playing in the Premier League.

"It gives me really great pleasure to see Burnley top of the table, I have great memories of the club," he said. "I never played in the top flight with them but I hope that they get there.

"Over here in Northern Ireland everybody goes on about Man United, Arsenal and Liverpool.

"But I have always said to them, you wait until Burnley are in the top division, then you will see what real football support can be like.

"Given the size of the town it is fantastic and Stan Ternent has done a great job but he knows there is a lot of hard work still to do."

Hamilton currently owns a trophy and engraving shop in his home country but he recently compiled a report aimed at revamping Irish League soccer.

"It took a long time to do but it was interesting," he said. "But I also do some media work for BBC Radio Ulster and television coverage of Northern Ireland games alongside George Best.

"I just wish playing for Glentoran had made Glen Little eligible to play - he would walk into our side."

Hamilton is already looking forward to his next chance to see Little in action, the home game against Stockport County on December 15 when he will be doing the half time draw on the pitch.

There is no doubt the home fans will make him very welcome and he said: "It will be a great to meet up with old friends - even if it does end up with a hangover."