Hibernian chief executive Scott Lindsay insists the club will not risk financial meltdown to land the Clydesdale Bank Premier League title. It is almost 25 years since one of the Old Firm were not crowned Scottish champions but Hibs and Dundee United are both still in contention more than a third of the way into the current season.

Lindsay, whose club have posted profits for five successive years, told BBC Scotland: "We back every manager to the best of our ability.

"But we won't take any undue risks with our long-term stability."

Lindsay also played down talk of a sustained title challenge from Hibs, who have struggled to make the top six in recent seasons but are only two points off the summit this term.

"It's not really something that we talk about," he said.

"We talk about performances and obviously we want to win games. I'm sure the manager will keep everyone grounded.

"If we continue to do what we're doing, we'll see where that takes us and hopefully that's competing at the top end of the league.

"The team, so far, have surpassed our expectations. I don't think anyone could have reasonably expected the situation to have turned around as it has done.

"However, we are only a third of the way through the season and there's a long way to go."