Naisy: I’ll take wage cut & stay
STEVEN NAISMITH last night agreed to a 50 per cent wage cut at Hearts.
And the Scotland striker insisted he’ll be staying at Tynecastle for next season even if the club are relegated to the Championship.
Naismith offered Gorgie chiefs a massive boost with his double declaration.
The 33-year-old made it clear he is willing to assist the club as they fight financial issues caused by the indefinite shutdown of
the game. Hearts owner Ann Budge put forward the cuts in an attempt to stave off a cash meltdown and boss Daniel Stendel is taking no pay during the lay-off, while Craig Levein and Austin MacPhee have accepted the measure.
While it’s understood some of the first-team squad have sought advice from PFA Scotland over the severity of the cuts and defender Clevid Dikamona terminated his contract, the skipper has decided to accept the terms due to the unprecedented nature of the situation.
Naismith said: “Like my team-mates I’ve been thinking a lot about the request from Hearts to reduce our wages by 50 per cent to help the club and protect as many jobs as possible during this uncertain period. I have discussed it at great length with my family.
“Current circumstances put everyone in a very difficult position but this isn’t a problem of Hearts’ making. My family and I feel that, through a long career, football has been very good to us.
“Therefore, I personally feel that I can and should accept the 50 per cent reduction in wages.
“I hope this contributes in some way to the longterm survival of the club at a challenging time and save jobs, especially those that are the lowest earners and hence those who will be struggling the most.
“I’m making a commitment to stay at Hearts, regardless of which league the club is in, next season.”
Stendel admits he still fears for Hearts despite working for free.
He said: “If we go bankrupt in three months none of us will be helped but I had the chance to do my part.
“I’m not a millionaire and I still have to work for many years but I can make a difference in saving the salary of an employee.”