The day we went into administration was the worst day of my life. But now the future looks bright — with our fan base we can be a model for success

FOR Gary Locke, the bulletin he had waited 10 months to hear arrived just before he and his daughters made a trip to Edinburgh Zoo.

Fellow visitors were more concerned with the latest updates on the reproduction attempts of the zoo’s pandas, Tian Tian and Yang Guang. Locke, by contrast, was beaming in the spring capital sunshine as he replayed in his own mind the news from Lithuania concerning another endangered species altogether; his beloved Heart of Midlothian FC.

After learning that the spectre of liquidation had been staved off, after creditor Ukio Bankas sold their shares and stake in Tynecastle Stadium to Hearts saviour Ann Budge, the elation felt by the 38-year-old made it the best day of his life, barring the birth of his girls Keira, Yasmin and Zara.

But Locke’s joyous mood was in stark contrast to the constant crushing l ows of the past 10 months, starting when broken Hearts slipped into administration.

For Locke, the date: June 18, 2013, when 14 employees, including four players, were made redundant remains imprinted on his brain as the worst day of his life.

‘It’s been really difficult from last summer — right from day one when the news broke that we were going into administration,’ said Locke.

‘As the manager, it was then you realised just how bad everything had got. And then you saw people losing their jobs. I don’t think I’ll have another day lower than that.

‘It’s been a long 10 months, that’s for sure, but to get that phone call on Wednesday morning was such a huge relief, not just for myself but for everyone associated with the club. It certainly made for a better trip to the zoo.

‘Hearts can now look forward to a bright future. Bryan Jackson, the administrator (pictured below), is up there as a Hearts legend. I know personally what a hard job he and his team faced to get this deal through — and what a fantastic job they have done.’

Despite Locke not knowing whether he has a future as Hearts manager under the incoming Budge, he is emphatic that the future of the club he supports — and has played for and managed — is rosy.

More than 8,000 fans have signed up f or monthly direct debits through the Foundation of Hearts, which will provide about £1.2million annually, on top of season-ticket sales and merchandising.

With a shrewd businesswoman such as IT millionaire Budge at the helm, Locke believes Hearts will be in a strong position to bounce back next season in the Championship.

‘It can be a really successful model,’ said Locke. ‘ Just look at our fan base; l ook at the support we take with us all over the country. Hearts is a massive institution in Edinburgh with great history.

‘There’s no doubt with the fan base we have got it can be a very good model for success.

‘I’d imagine the new owner would have good ideas for the club because she’s a very shrewd businesswoman.

‘She’s got the best interests of the club at heart and the only way this club is going now is forward.

‘There’s a big rebuilding j ob t o be done, of course, but there is a fantastic f uture ahead of us. Can we get back to winning cups, finishing second? Without a doubt.’

Vladimir Romanov, whose reckless spending brought Hearts close to total collapse, is now in Moscow fighting extradition attempts by the Lithuanian authorities, who want to see him in court over allegedly embezzling £12.5m.

For all the heat and light generated by the controversial Lithuania- based businessman during his time at Hearts, however, his retreat from his crumbling empire was done silently. For Locke, it is time to draw a line under the Romanov years, learn the lessons and ensure Hearts are never again pushed to the brink of extinction.

‘I don’t know if anyone heard from him (Romanov) again but it is important we look to the future, there is no point looking back,’ he insisted.

‘We have certainly learned a harsh lesson that you have to live within your means. Every club in the world now realises you can’t go spending money you’ve not got. I feel that will never happen here again.

‘I think we’ve learned our lesson. Nobody would want to go through what we’ve been through at this club ever again. There’s a bright future ahead of us.

‘This club is going to be run properly, which is the most important thing. Hopefully we can start turning out really good teams again and start to get success again on the pitch.’

Locke may or may not be the manager next season but he hopes the current Hearts players can have their own futures resolved soon, now that the uncertainty is coming towards an end.

‘Now there is a bit of light at the end of the tunnel,’ added Locke. ‘Bryan says there’s still a wee bit to go but it now looks like the players will get their futures sorted out in the next two or three weeks. That’s important.

‘It’s great for them because they have been through a lot and I’ve had a sense in the last couple of days

Jackson is up there as a Hearts legend for what he has done

that one or two of them were starting to get a bit anxious. But the news we got on Wednesday should make them less worried.

‘The players want to stay for the Championship and that’s great. Over the last few years there have been some who have played here but who didn’t want to be here. But certainly, with this bunch of players, every single one of them wants to play for Hearts, which is pleasing.

‘The commitment of the players to go out and do well for this club has been there for everyone to see all season. It speaks volumes for their feelings for Hearts.

‘ We are going to be i n the Championship next season and it is going to be a really tough league with a lot of good teams in it.

‘There are no guarantees we will be able to come straight back up.

‘But, if we work as hard as we have done this year and improve the way we have done, then we will give ourselves a really good chance.’