Hibs feeling “positive” after SFA talks

Hibs have held talks with the SFA to discuss a minority investment proposal from American billionaire Bill Foley.

Rumors of investment from Foley have been rife since the news first broke in late October but before it can officially go-ahead Hibs require approval from the SFA due to Foley’s involvements in other football clubs AFC Bournemouth and FC Lorient.

Current SFA rules restrict multi club ownership in Scotland and they evaluate proposals on a case by case basis, Hibs have described the initial talks held as “positive.”

In an official statement Hibs said: “Hibernian FC can confirm that the club met with the Scottish FA on Thursday 14 December 2023 to discuss a minority investment proposal.

“The positive meeting saw Ian Gordon and Ben Kensell outline the proposal and discuss the benefits for Hibs and Scottish football moving forward.

“The Club looks forward to the next stage of the process, which is submitting a formal request for the approval of dual interest dispensation against article 13. There will be no further comment at this time.”

This was the first time the club have officially commented since the rumours first broke, and whilst Hibs fans have been imagining what the investment may mean for their teams future, they will now have to wait for the outcome of the process’ next stage for official confirmation.

Speaking to talkSPORT prior to the meeting Bill Foley said: “We’re not going to be a controlling shareholder, we’re going to be an investor but we certainly want to coordinate acquisition and disposition of players with Hibs and I know they can use the help.”

Whilst it seems Foley’s involvement will focus on player recruitment it is not yet clear how this will affect the upcoming January transfer window.

Talking at a press conference Head Coach Nick Montgomery previously said: “We don’t have the budget to go out and sign players.

“Maybe one or two players leave, that’s football…that’s when you can react and bring players in.

If that does change as a result of new investment it would appear that the club are prepared, Montgomery said: “Definitely always on the lookout for anything that can improve the squad…that’s an ongoing process that myself and Brian McDermott are constantly talking about.”

On the pitch, Hibees fan favourite Martin Boyle recently made his 300^th appearance for the club against Celtic, whilst he was unable to mark the occasion with a goal, he did score in the next outing versus Livingston as the side ran out 1-0 winners in tough conditions.

Boyle appears to have been granted a license to roam freely around the forward line by boss Nick Montgomery as his side continue to climb the league table since his arrival in September.