Bill Foley's Black Knights group has reiterated their intention to do what they can to help Hibernian climb up the table after a miserable run of one win in 12 Scottish Premiership matches under David Gray.

The USA billionaire didn't mince his words in the summer when suggesting that the Easter Road hierarchy hadn't been listening to the group's input, telling the BBC: "If the other ownership group at Hibernian listens to us, they will do better.

"So far, they haven't really been listening to our input. I believe they will listen to our input now. We have a very good relationship with Lorient. They are listening and are hiring the right people to develop that club."

But speaking in September co-owner Ian Gordon insisted that relations between Hibs chiefs and their Black Knight counterparts had been smoothed over since Foley's pointed remarks. 

“I think the relationship is very strong. We are still in the early stages and I think we're going to see the true benefits in months and years to come," he told The Scotsman.

"We feel we are in a really good place with them. We've had many conversations, there is ongoing dialogue, and Malky Mackay [sporting director] is now in constant communication with them."

Issuing their update for the third quarter of 2024 earlier this week. the Black Knights said in a statement that the group was 'focused on building a global network of world-class football clubs, players, and real estate assets that will produce operational synergies, accelerate player development, and enable efficient player migration across Black Knight Football's network of owned and operated clubs, while driving both strong on-field performance and financial results'. 

Read more:

Bournemouth, who are 100%-owned by the Black Knights, earned their record transfer fee when striker Dominic Solanke was sold to Tottenham Hotspur for £65 million. The Cherries' 12th-place finish in last season's English Premier League also boosted their commercial growth through sponsorship and advertising revenue, with several existing agreements renewed at higher rates alongside new money-spinning partnerships. 

Under the sub-heading 'other group updates', the Black Knights report that French side Lorient, who were relegated from Ligue 1 at the end of last season 'spent the off-season prudently rebalancing their playing squad in advance of the Ligue 2 season. They started the 2024/25 season strongly and are currently in second place in Ligue 2'. 

The statement continues: "BKFC are optimistic to strengthen our ties with Hibernian FC in the coming months and help them move up in the standings." 

Recent visits to Edinburgh by Black Knights president Tim Bezbatchenko, including taking in the 1-1 draw with Dundee United, and Hibs chief executive Ben Kensell travelling to Las Vegas with Gordon to meet with Foley do indicate that the relationship is perhaps less strained than it appeared in the summer. 

Mackay and head of technical performance David Marshall recently travelled to Bournemouth as part of the ongoing dialogue between Hibs and the group while Mackay is in regular contact with the Cherries first-team technical director Simon Francis and has an existing relationship with Neill Blake, formerly Bournemouth CEO who left earlier this season to take up a new role with the Black Knights.

Is Garvan Stewart the next piece of the BK jigsaw?

Yesterday, we reported that Hibs were keen to bring in Garvan Stewart from Bournemouth to head up the club's recruitment process, as part of wider changes to the player ID department. Reporting to sporting director Malky Mackay, it is hoped the Irishman can help overhaul the Hibs first-team squad. 

This would be a permanent move for the 38-year-old Stewart, rather than dividing his time between the Cherries and Hibs, and all being well the appointment could be announced by the end of this week. 

Stewart's anticipated arrival from the Vitality Stadium will no doubt fuel rumours of a string of Bournemouth players heading north to the Scottish Premiership, but that may not be the case.

Twice they have tried to bring in defender Owen Bevan from Bournemouth and twice injuries have scuppered any deal, for example. But while they won't rule out intra-group moves, there will be a focus on bringing in the right players for particular roles. Defensive midfielder Bonke Innocent, then of Lorient, was another possibility but David Gray favoured a return for Nectar Triantis rather than a move for the Nigerian internationalist, now plying his trade for Adanaspor in the Turkish second tier. 

Can greater Black Knight involvement signal a change in fortunes for Hibs?

Recruitment has been a constant source of frustration for Hibs supporters in recent seasons. Ian Gordon, who was previously heavily involved after being installed as head of recruitment in late 2021, admitted that mistakes had been made, the club had tried to go 'too international, too young, too quickly', and the player identification process needed to be revamped.

More than 60 players have arrived in the last four seasons with very few success stories and with 15 first-team players out of contract at the end of the current season, Stewart will have plenty to work on - particularly with the side in a precarious position at the foot of the Scottish top flight. 

So is there cause for cautious optimism for a fanbase growing increasingly fearful with every passing week as Hibs continue to struggle? Well, with Auckland FC third in the A-League, unbeaten in three games and yet to concede a goal; Lorient second in Ligue 2 and a point off top spot; Bournemouth 12th in the EPL having defeated Arsenal and Manchester City in the last month, and even the Vegas Golden Knights sitting second in the Pacific Division of the National Hockey League's Western Conference, strengthening existing ties with the Black Knights would appear to be a smart move.