Hearts finding their way forward
Hearts owners Ann Budge's insistence that she would suspend players who refused to take a pay cut appears to have paid off.
As the Edinburgh Reporter went to press it was reported that most of the first team squad have reluctantly acceded to the demand of cuts of between 10% to 30%. Club captain Steven Naismith had already agreed to slash his wages by half while manager Daniel Stendel has waived taking a salary.
As the impact of the Covid-19 sports shutdown causes havoc for the financial well-being of many clubs, Tynecastle players attempted to have wages deferred but Budge set down a deadline for acceptance of the proposal or else face suspension, in which case no wages would be paid.
Mrs Budge said: “I have already spoken of my admiration for our people at Heart of Midlothian, the staff who have remained steadfast throughout the turbulence experienced by the club in past years.
"They have again shown their commitment and selflessness by making sacrifices, not least financially, to preserve the long-term sustainability of the club. The same applies to the playing staff, all of whom I have spoken to on an individual basis in the past few weeks to discuss the impact of Covid-19 on the club and the potential implications for themselves.
“Unanimously, they understand the unprecedented circumstances caused by the pandemic and the challenging position the club finds itself in as a consequence of the lockdown and enforced suspension by the football authorities.
“I outlined the rationale and also explained why a deferral is simply not an option for the club. To reiterate, I cannot and will not, in good conscience, leave the club in a position again where football debt is left as a ‘legacy’ for those who follow.”