Soutar feels for players after suffering same fate

Derek Soutar admits his heart goes out to Dundee’s stars facing 30% wage cuts – but insists it will never be as bad as when he had to take double that drop.

Soutar was at Dens Park when the cash-starved Tayside side plunged into administration in 2003 with debts close to £20 million.

Back then, the former Dark Blues keeper agreed to a 60% drop in wages to help keep his beloved club alive.

Dee are under financial pressure again because of the impact of the Covid-19 shutdown, with captain Josh Meekings leaving after rejecting new terms offered to him.

James McPake’s No 2 Jimmy Nicholl and first-team sports scientist Cammy

McDermid were the first victims of costcutting at Dens.

Soutar said: “I feel for the guys. I’ve been there myself and know these are worrying times. It hits home when you see someone like Meekings moving on because the terms he was offered were way below what he was used to.

“It’s tough out there but I don’t think it will get to the point of when we went into administration in 2003.

“Over the course of a few months, I took a 60% drop in wages. I did everything I could to help. But the club then asked me if I would take another cut which wasn’t possible – enough was enough.

“So I know what these players are going through. The pressure is enormous when you have family and other responsibilities outwith football.

“I’m sure most of the lads will do their best to help the situation. That’s all you can do during such times.”

Soutar believes the current crisis may actually help strengthen the dressing-room ahead of next season’s push for promotion.

He added: “There could be a positive at the end of all this.

“During the ‘Deefiant’ season, Dundee fought against the odds to stay up despite the 25-point deduction for going into administration with all the financial cuts which went with it.

“Spirit will be one of the key things.”