Gerard Lyttle believes Kenny Kane has all the attributes to be a top Irish League striker - even comparing the Ballymena United man to Cliftonville legend Joe Gormley.
The 22-year-old striker has started the last seven Premiership games for the Sky Blues, scoring three goals including the opener in Tuesday night's 2-1 win over Warrenpoint Town.
Lyttle believes Kane - who joined Ballymena from Dervock FC in 2019 - is repaying the faith shown in him by David Jeffrey.
And he has even compared Kane's natural goalscoring instincts to Reds' hitman Gormley.
"I watched Kenny closely about a year or two ago, and he is one of the closest natural goalscorers that you will see to Joe Gormley," Lyttle told Belfast Live's That's What I Call Football podcast.
"He is one of those players who always seems to be in the right place at the right time and picks up really good positions and is a really good finisher.
"Maybe his moment has arrived, with a few injuries in the squad. David (Jeffrey) has put his trust in him and Kenny is repaying him in goals and he could be the answer."
Meanwhile, Lyttle hailed Ballymena United chief Jeffrey following the club's last two results, with Tuesday's win over Warrenpoint following an impressive victory over Crusaders at the weekend.
The double triumph has moved the Sky Blues up to seventh in the Premiership, and while their form has been patchy this season, Lyttle says fans should never write off the man at the helm.
"How can you question the big man, the Godfather of the Irish League," Lyttle said of Jeffrey.
"He is the most experienced manager in the history of the league. I am sure David will tell you their recruitment hasn't been as how he wanted it.
"But they pulled off a great win against Crusaders, and backed it up at a very difficult place to go to on a wet and windy Tuesday night.
"They have done what other clubs around them can't do, and that's back up one good result with another.
"Ballymena have done that and they've hit a bit of form in the last two games."
