Ben Kensell insists Jack Ross will be backed in the transfer market after demanding last season 'becomes the norm'.
The Hibs chief executive has only been in the role a matter of weeks but is confident his side can continue to push Celtic and Rangers at the top of the league.
And despite the blow of crashing out of the Europa Conference League against Rijeka on Thursday, Kensell believes going 'deep' into European competition is now the aim.
But he's heaped praise on Ross for how the Easter Road side have developed under his stewardship and promised he will be 'backed appropriately'.
It comes as he continues to negotiate a potential exit for Josh Doig with the young left back still wanted for a big money move to England.
And Kensell reckons that has to be the model for Hibs moving forward to introduce young players and give them the platform to shine.
He said: “We are very lucky to have Jack because, when you go back to our model and identity, what we as a club are doing is trying to provide young players a pathway through. That’s our model, right?
“Jack deserves plaudits for believing in that model wholeheartedly and sincerely. Taking a player and giving them the opportunity to come into the set-up.
“They make mistakes, because young players do, but equally they thrive, grow and continue to develop.
“I think Jack deserves a huge amount of credit. He pulled off a fantastic season last season but that shouldn’t be the exception.
“That should be the norm for this club and we’ve got to get that consistent base moving forward.
“That would allow us to go deeper into European competitions, it would allow us to close the gap on the traditional top two, and it will allow us to carve out a real identity for ourselves.
“I think Jack deserves credit and he will be backed appropriately.”
