Hibs owner Ron Gordon insists club is not for sale after rejecting offers for majority shareholding

Hibernian chairman Ron Gordon, pictured during the recent draw with Motherwell at Easter Road, insists the club is not for sale. (Craig Foy / SNS Group)

Hibs owner Ron Gordon has insisted that the club is not for sale after revealing he has knocked back offers for his majority shareholding.

The American-based businessman stressed that he is not interested in giving up his investment in the Edinburgh club despite facing a seven-figure loss for the current financial year due to the impact of Covid-19.

The lack of gate income is continuing to hit Scottish football clubs hard after plans for a phased return of supporters to Scottish football grounds from next month were put on hold following a spike in coronavirus cases.

Hibs players were asked to take a wage cuts ahead of the season starting, while the academy was also placed on a temporary pause as part of the cost-saving measures at the club due to the impact of the pandemic.

However, Gordon maintains the Easter Road outfit are on a "solid footing" and stressed that he is not actively looking to sell his stake.

"People do come, but no," Gordon told BBC Scotland when asked about possible interest in taking over the club.

"Do I regret making this investment? Absolutely not. Has it been difficult from a business perspective? Absolutely. But from every other perspective it's been absolutely rewarding.

"I want to be part of Hibernian for a long time and I want to make a difference at the club."

Gordon, who bought Hibs from previous owner Sir Tom Farmer almost 15 months ago, says he has set up a "facility" that is "there if we need it" to cover costs.

The executive chairman has watched his team make a strong start to the season under Jack Ross with Hibs currently third in the Premiership standings with five wins and two draws from their eight games going into Sunday's visit to Celtic Park.

"I'm excited," Gordon added. "The team is very balanced, playing very well, with a lot of conviction, a lot of belief. It's good, it's great. We're very fortunate to have Jack, he's a terrific manager.

"We're operating in a leaner budget and getting better results, which is a good thing."