Bill Foley accuses Hibs hierarchy of ignoring his input as billionaire warns 'they'll listen now' after Kelty defeat

Bill Foley has taken aim at Hibs’ hierarchy and accused them of ignoring his input following his £6million investment at Easter Road. But after Saturday’s League Cup humbling at Kelty Hearts the American billionaire has said: “I believe they will listen now.”

Foley bought a 25 per cent stake in the Easter Road club earlier this year to add the capital side to his multi-club Black Knight consortium which also includes the Premier League Bournemouth, A-League Auckland and French side Lorient who were relegated from Ligue 1 last season. His money got the 79-year-old and a Black Knight colleague two places on the Hibs board with plans to share expertise on footballing and off-field matters as well as a chunky input to the transfer kitty.

Foley wants Hibs, who finished eighth last season leading to Montgomery's removal, to be in the European positions every year. The Black Knight group were understood to be overseeing a review of Hibs football structure during the summer with David Gray appointed head coach after Nick Montgomery was axed in May.

Former SFA Performance Director Malky Mackay also arrived as sporting director in June. But there already appear to be divisions between Foley’s group and the club’s American owners, the Gordon family who own just over 60 per cent of Hibs.

Following Saturday’s defeat to League One part-timers Kelty, which came after convincing wins over Queen’s Park and Elgin City, Foley said: "I am absolutely looking out for them. If the other ownership group at Hibernian listens to us, they will do better.

"So far, they really haven’t 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