Black Knight FC chief Tim Bezbatchenko has run the rule over Hibs’ daily operations at their East Mains Training Centre as Bill Foley firms up his influence on the club.
BKFC president Bezbatchenko – formerly general manager of MLS sides Toronto FC and Columbus Crew – spent a fact-finding week in Edinburgh, speaking to staff from boss David Gray down to the academy coaches and sharing the consortium’s own expertise on on and off field matters. Next week marks a year since Foley’s interest in the club was first made public and the billionaire Bournemouth owner said right from the start he planned to make Hibs the undisputed third force in Scotland. They currently sit bottom though and relations were strained earlier this season.
Foley bought a 25 per cent stake after being given the green light by the SFA back in February but in July claimed his input was being ignored by the club’s majority shareholders, the Gordon family. Foley was understood not to be on board with the appointment of Gray as head coach.
However owner Ian Gordon and chief executive Ben Kensell – who have held monthly meetings with Black Knights officials since Foley’s buy-in – travelled to Vegas two weeks ago to strengthen the relationship. And Hibs insiders insist Bezbatchenko was impressed with what he saw on his visit to the capital last month. He also took in a game. But there will be no Black Knight representation when Hibs host Hearts in the first derby of the season this Sunday.
Meanwhile Gray insists he has ‘no doubts’ over either himself or his players, despite Hibs crashing to the bottom of the Premiership at the weekend after capitulating in a 3-2 defeat at Dundee United. The manager goes into Sunday’s derby under mounting pressure.
Hibs have been accused of having a weak centre having thrown away points in the closing stages in successive games. But Gray told Sky Sports: “It’s something that ever since I’ve been at this club has been mentioned. And I think it always rears its head after a defeat.
“One thing that I can’t stand here and make an excuse for is what’s happened the last two weeks because at the end of the day when we do make mistakes were are being punished for them at the moment and there’s lots of variables within that. The reality of the situation is we need to be stronger in these moments, we know that. It is a new group but at the same time as players, as coaches and everybody involved needs to stick together and rectify it.”
Gray insists he retains full belief in his players. He said: “The full focus is on how we can improve. But, at the same time, we need to really double down on what we believe in and what I’m working on every single day.
“I am seeing the improvements but we also know the results need to turn quickly. It’s been tough, of course, I’m not going to shy away from that. It’s a challenge I knew was always going to be there at the start of the season when I took the job.
“I’ve been at the club long enough to understand the pressures, the expectation, the demands – and as I’ve always said I’m not shying away from it. Where we find ourselves at the moment is not good enough and no-one is going to say anything different.
“We also know we’re working very hard to rectify that. I’m not doubting what we’re doing at the moment and I’m not doubting the players. I know where we need to improve and the players need to take responsibility for that as well.”