Hearts owner Ann Budge says she expects to work more closely with rivals Hibs in the future.
Whilst fierce rivals on the park, the two Edinburgh clubs look set to work closely together off the park.
Enemies on the park, friends off it. (photo by Alan Rennie/Action Plus via Getty Images)
Budge recently had a beneficial meeting with new Hibs owner Ron Gordon. During that, a range of topics were discussed, with the two parties now aiming to work together on commercial fronts and other business-related ideas.
Speaking to the Edinburgh Evening News, Budge said: “I’ve met the new owner and we had a very long chat. He was picking my brains about how Hearts have developed and Scottish football in general. We talked about whether there are areas where we can collaborate to help both clubs.
“I think it [the takeover] is quite exciting and I think there will be opportunities for us to work together. Clearly we are rivals on the pitch, there is no question and that will always be the case. Beyond that, every football club has the same problems – with maybe one or two exceptions.
Budge sees similarities between Hearts and Hibs. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
“I think we will work more closely together with Hibs. We have always shared ideas on the community front.”
Hibs owner Gordon went to Hearts’ Budge for the right reasons
In terms of how to run a football club, Gordon couldn’t have got advice from many better than Budge.
She has guided Hearts to stability off the park post-administration. She’s done some great things over her stint in Gorgie, including the redevelopment of the Main Stand.
Budge has been brilliant for Hearts. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Gordon has limited experience in Scottish football, having made his fortune in the United States. It’s interesting though that the first person he went to for advice was arguably his biggest rival.
What exactly the two sides will work on off the park is unknown. It seems as though, judging by Budge’s comments, they’ll working side by side on projects within the Edinburgh area.
Fans will just be hoping that the same fiery action on the park remains present.