Dempster insists new supremo can put

Hibs chief executive Leeann Dempster insists new owner Ron Gordon is determined to make the club successful on the park and a global brand off it.

The American businessman will address supporters on Wednesday at his first AGM since buying out Sir Tom Farmer last July.

Gordon immediately paid off a £2.25 million mortgage and deposited £1.25 million into the club’s bank account when he acquired the majority shareholding, with Hibs now debt-free. And Dempster believes the supporters will be hugely encouraged by what the chairman has to say when he outlines his vision for the Leith outfit.

Dempster said: “Undoubtedly he has got significant aspirations for us all and the club.

“And he is excited about the opportunity for the club to participate in Europe, to become much more global, to maybe do different things, maybe tweak things a little with how we do our academy.

“It’s funny, I came from Motherwell and (former owner) John Boyle was pretty clear, he’d invested his £10 million, he’d lost his £10 million and what he was looking for was a positive exit for him and the club.

“That was the direction of travel for me there. Breaking even for John was manna from heaven because it meant he didn’t have to put more money in, and I mean that respectfully.

“So there has been this narrative at clubs where breaking even is seen as the most important thing. Ron has completely flipped that on its head.

“He has said if all we’re doing is breaking even we’re not creating cash to invest, we’re not actually allowing ourselves to grow in a positive way. “So it’s a different way of thinking.

“You don’t buy a football club just to let it wither on the vine, that’s not what he is going to do.

“He has bought this club to be a big part of it and be a big influence, and hopefully our club can be a big player in the marketplace not just in Scotland, but in Europe.”

Dempster insists the money Gordon