'Stay true:' Hibs chief lifts lid on business impact of Hearts winning league on Easter Road club

​With seven games to go of the league season, Hearts are three points clear at the top and are in pole position to win the title for the first time since 1960.

It is an unpalatable situation for many Hibs supporters, who do not want to witness their capital rivals be crowned champions. And while winning the league would likely expose Hearts to millions in prize money and European revenue, Barnett says Hibs will continue to focus on themselves and their plan for financial success after posting losses of £5.84 million in their latest set of accounts.

“I don't think it has an impact on the business side,” said Barnett on Hearts potentially becoming champions. “I mean, I can't talk to football again, but on the business side, it really has no impact for us.”

Hibs are currently fifth in the table and are six points behind fourth-placed Motherwell, who occupy the last position for guaranteed European football next season. David Gray’s men are due to host Hearts in the post-split derby in what is sure to be a gargantuan clash.

“I mean, look, we just control the controllables from our side,” continued Barnett. “And I think we have our plan. It's a robust plan. It's a plan that involves extreme ambition, financial sustainability.

“And really, we can't control what happens at the other side of the city, nor does it impact or detrimentally impact what we're trying to do. We have to stay true to what our plan is, the plan that we explained at the AGM.

“And we're confident that if we stick to our guns on that, then it will lead to very good things for this football club.”