Ian Gordon has acknowledged that Hibernian FC (Hibs) has made a significant shift in their transfer strategy since the appointment of Malky Mackay as the club’s sporting director. Mackay, formerly the technical director at the Scottish Football Association (SFA), now oversees all transfer activities at Easter Road. His aim is to bring stability and clarity to the recruitment process, which has seen several missteps in recent years. While Gordon, the former head of recruitment, still holds a role at Hibs, the specifics of his duties remain unclear. However, he revealed that both Mackay and new head coach David Gray are focused on building the team around a “Scottish core and British experience.”
In an interview with *The Scotsman*, Gordon said: “With Malky coming in, through discussions, it became clear that we wanted a Scottish core and British experience. This is our priority, though we still aim to explore other markets. We previously went too international, too young, and too fast. With Malky’s and David’s experience, we’re focusing on that Scottish core and proven British experience. There needed to be a reset, and there’s evidence that this approach works in this league, with the club having a history of it.”
In other news, former Scotland international James McFadden has shared his thoughts on Hearts’ appointment of Graeme Jones as their new sporting director. McFadden, who worked alongside Jones during his time with the Scottish national team, praised the move. Jones, who previously served as the SFA’s performance director, now takes on a broad role at Tynecastle, overseeing all aspects of the football department, including recruitment, performance, and academy development, while supporting both the men’s and women’s teams.
McFadden offered a positive outlook on Jones’ appointment and provided insight into how he might perform in this new role.
On the *Open Goal* podcast, James McFadden praised Graeme Jones, reflecting on his experience working with him. McFadden said, “I worked with him, and he gets things done. He’s involved in everything, whether it’s with players, sports science, or organization – he’s a tremendous asset to everyone. He’s great with the players, will be helpful to the board, and especially beneficial to Stevie Naismith due to their existing relationship. Having been the Head of Performance for the SFA, he’s well-suited to handle what’s required at Hearts. I like him a lot, so naturally, I’ll speak highly of him, but I genuinely believe he’s a good fit for the club.”
McFadden emphasized Jones’ respect for boundaries: “He won’t overstep by telling people who to play. He’s not someone who thinks he knows it all or can do it all. He’s the type who can identify needs, say, ‘we’re strong or weak here,’ and bring the right people in to address those areas. He’ll ensure everyone is doing their jobs while giving them the space to work effectively.”
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