Hibs chasing Old Firm as billionaire investor's right-hand man makes 'feeder club' promise to fans

Black Knight president Tim Bezbatchenko has underlined billionaire investor Bill Foley’s ambition to put Hibs “on the heels of Celtic and Rangers” as they benefit from being part of a multi-club stable. But he’s stressed that the Easter Road outfit will NEVER be seen as a “feeder club” in a group headed by Premier League over-achievers Bournemouth.

Even before he completed his £6 million purchase of a minority stake in Hibs, Foley – who has stakes in French Ligue 2 side FC Lorient and A League new boys FC Auckland – spoke about making the Edinburgh side the undisputed third force in Scottish football. But the relationship has occasionally been strained since the deal was approved by shareholders in early 2024, Foley going public with his criticism of Hibs last summer.

Since then, former Bournemouth analytics expert Garvan Stewart has been appointed head of recruitment at Hibs. And Bezbatchenko spoke at this year’s AGM about player movement within the group, as David Gray – yet to make a signing from within the Black Knight group – is supported in the transfer market.

Autonomy guaranteed in summer market

But, speaking on The Athletic podcast this week, former Toronto FC and Columbus Crew decision maker Bezbatchenko stressed that Hibs will retain full “autonomy” when it comes to recruitment. And he praised the controlling Gordon family for the work already done at Easter Road.

Bezbatchenko said: “We want each club to be successful. Each club has autonomy and a different identity, and we want to respect their history and tradition, which I think differentiates us from some of the other multi-club ownership groups.

“We want to achieve the goals set out by the various owners of the groups, including Black Knight. I think you're seeing that at a club like Hibernian with the Gordon family - Ian, Kitt and Colin Gordon - who've owned the club.

“We came in, and we're trying to have a top five finish, achieve a top five finish every year - and maybe get into that third position like we're in right now, so that you're on the heels of Celtic and Rangers. And I think that's what's special about Black Knight, is we can do that while also fulfilling our goals within the network of, you know, shared learning and moving players, and maybe achieving some synergies on the performance and medical side.”

Adding some more detail on how the system will work ahead of a summer transfer window expected to see a major rebuild at Hibs, Bezbatchenko stressed: “We don't look at the clubs as feeder clubs. I think within the multi-club ownership groups, there are different groups that do consider their clubs feeder clubs.

“It doesn't mean that we're not looking for the players to move up the pyramid. And I think Bill has been clear about that.

“But we have to respect their own identity and what they're trying to achieve. And that's really important, especially right now at a club like Lorient where they're trying to get promoted.

Dango Outtara moved from Lorient to Bournemouth

“But we've done good transactions that we feel like benefit it. The clubs have benefited from the moves like Dango Ouattara (signed by Bournemouth from Lorient).

“And then we've recently done Junior Kroupi (signed by Bournemouth and loaned back to Lorient during the January window). We’ve allowed Junior Kroupi to remain at Lorient so that they can achieve their goals. If he were to go have gone to another club outside of our network, I don't know if he stays at Lorient.

“So I think the same goes for the transactions we plan to do at Hibs is what's good and suitable for both clubs, what helps achieve their objectives. But ultimately players want to realize their potential.

“They want to move up the ladder. So whether or not that's within Black Knight or not, we're never going to stand in a player's way as long as we can find a mutually beneficial situation.

“So we just feel like through the club network, we're achieving two things. You're controlling your supply and there's costs and risk mitigation.

“And that's the hardest thing about acquiring players is you don't really truly know them. You can do as much scouting, as much recruiting, you can have as many interviews as you want.

“But until that player is in the locker room, out on the training pitch with the other players, you don't know how he's going to fit in with the group. But when you have within your own network, I can go to the training, I can go to the matches, I can sit in the locker room at one of the clubs and see how we interact after a loss.

“And that really is what brings people together. It's not the wins and the championships. It's actually when you lose and who's there and who's around you. And that's what I think is the fabric that brings, you know, can bring a multi-club together beyond the single crest of one club.”

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