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Hibs investor Bill Foley fires brutal warning to club’s ‘other ownership group’ and says ‘they haven’t been listening’
The Bournemouth billionaire reckons he has the answers to Easter Road woes
BILL FOLEY last night told Hibs they need to LISTEN more to his advice.
New boss David Gray suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to League One side Kelty Hearts on Saturday.
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They now need a win against Peterhead this weekend to qualify for the knockout stages of the Premier Sports Cup.
And US tycoon Foley, whose Black Knights group paid £6million for a 25 per cent stake at Easter Road, says they’ll only improve when the Gordon family heed his advice.
Asked about Saturday’s defeat at Kelty, Foley said: “I am absolutely looking out for them.
“If the other ownership group at Hibernian listens to us, they will do better. So far, they really haven’t been listening to our input. I believe they will listen to our input now.”
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Foley owns Bournemouth and has a stake in relegated French side Lorient.
He added: “We have a very good relationship with Lorient who are listening and are hiring the right people to develop that club.
“Our goal is to have similar coaching, similar playing styles and similar players that can progress through our system.
“It is not just going to be Bournemouth and a bunch of other teams.
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“It will be a whole system that allows players to progress from team to team to team.
“That will be our competitive edge and we will be able to develop a really good team.”
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Hibs host Watford in a friendly on Wednesday - a match which was part of the deal that took stopper Ryan Porteous to Vicarage Road.
They are back at Easter Road on Saturday to face League Two visitors Peterhead in their final cup group game, in what is now a vital tie.
Gray’s side, who finished in the bottom six under sacked Nick Montgomery last season, open their Premiership campaign at St Mirren on August 4.
Meanwhile Scott Allan has told Hibs fans to trust David Gray’s Easter Road revolution.
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The Hibees cult hero starred for Kelty Hearts in Saturday’s shock Premier Sports Cup win.
Allan, 32, rolled back the years with a composed midfield display as irate away punters hit the boos at full-time.
The former Hibs star understands fans’ frustrations but is adamant Gray will get them motoring.
He said: “Listen, I’ve been on the other side of things with Hibs coming to these grounds and it’s difficult. You see results in this competition over the last few years and teams can get them. It’s hard to play against.
“Hibs did still threaten, they got in behind but faced great last-ditch blocks, doubling up and the keeper pulling off saves. It wasn’t as if Hibs were playing and not creating chances, but I can see the fans’ frustration.
“That’s the pressure that comes with playing for Hibs, you’re expected to win these games.
“I spoke to Dave before and after the match. I’ve got a really good relationship with him.
“You can really see what they’re trying to do compared to last year.
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“We managed to defend but there was a way of playing there.
“What Dave’s done will stand Hibs in good stead going into the start of the season. He’s obviously been around there for three or four years with different managers.
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“Learning different styles gives you a good vantage point to take into your coaching career.
“He knows all those players inside out and he’ll have looked at it to see how he can get the best out of the likes of Martin Boyle, Joe Newell and Dylan Vente."
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