Breaking the bank

Lennon to be handed more cash than any Hibs boss in history

HIBS last night claimed Neil Lennon will be handed the biggest budget of any boss in Easter Road history next season. Chief executive Leeann Dempster has, however, insisted it is not a knee-jerk reaction to the Northern Irishman’s outburst towards the end of last season that he was reconsidering his position amid questions over the Leith club’s ambition.

Hibs had been in contention to finish second in the Premiership as the campaign entered its penultimate round of games.

But following a damaging 2-1 derby defeat to rivals Hearts, Lennon (below) threatened to quit this summer — a statement he later retracted.

Now, though, it appears that the board will back him with more funds being made available to build on their fourth-place finish.

‘We’ve had a really strong budget for the last four seasons and we will continue to have a really strong budget going into next year based on the excellent budget and work we have done this year,’ said Dempster.

‘I would go as far as to say definitely this year the football budget will be the biggest the club has ever had. I can say that with some certainty.

‘That includes what we are actually spending on players and importantly — and I think it is for folk to understand this — the support, staff, expertise that help fuel the club and in particular around places like the academy and medical and sports science. Stuff like that.

‘There is ambition here, but we balance where we spend our money. We are going to spend more again on the pitch undoubtedly, and more at the back end of the club.

‘Our view is that we make good, well thought-through decisions. We try not to do anything spur of the moment or reactionary where possible.’

Lennon will have changes to make this summer although he has not given up hope of persuading midfielder Dylan McGeouch to extend his contract at Easter Road.

John McGinn has been gathering interest, with Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers a confirmed admirer.

Swiss striker Florian Kamberi, meanwhile, is believed to be on the verge of securing a permanent move to Edinburgh after his successful loan from Swiss side Grasshoppers.

Hibs are also keen to retain Australian international forward Jamie Maclaren after his loan from German side Darmstadt and speedy Manchester City winger Brandon Barker.

Dempster has vowed any money available will be spent shrewdly.

‘We have been in the transfer market since I came to the club,’ she continued. ‘We have paid transfer fees for a number of players but they have been measured and, I think, appropriate for where we have been at the time and that will continue to be the case.

‘You are never going to see us go out there and make a ridiculous bid for a player. Any time we make a transfer bid, it is because we have researched and believe that player has something absolutely material to bring to the team and the potential is there to allow that player a platform for a couple of years to then go on for his betterment — and ours.’ Earlier this week, Hibs announced tennis hero Andy Murray is taking on a ‘mentorship role’ at the club’s youth academy, having taken Easter Road rising stars Ryan Porteous and Fraser Murray as clients to his sports agency.