Hearts confirm player wage cuts and offer season ticket sales update

Owner Ann Budge has agreed wage cuts with the Hearts players.

Hearts today thanked players for agreeing temporary wage cuts as it will help the club survive the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

The first team and reserve squad at Riccarton, plus backroom and off-field staff, have agreed to reductions between 10 and 30 per cent.

The majority of players remain on furlough leave, meaning they can claim 80 per cent of their salaries from the Government up to a maximum of £2,500 per month.

Captain Steven Naismith agreed a 50 per cent pay cut with owner Ann Budge in March and manager Daniel Stendel is working without a wage.

The rest of the Hearts squad have signed paperwork to accept reduced money whilst football is suspended.

Hearts also thanked more than 2,000 supporters who have bought season tickets for the 2020/21 campaign despite no clarity on when football might resume.

As part of a statement on the club website, the Edinburgh club said: “We are delighted to have reached an agreement on temporary salary changes with the entire playing squad.

“This agreement is essential to help the club manage the impact of COVID-19 on Scottish football, which has seen the suspension of our game.

“This commitment from all of our players, backroom team and off-field staff, which will to help maintain the long-term sustainability of the club, is hugely appreciated and we thank everyone for their continued support.

“The majority of the squad are on furlough leave, with a couple of exceptions due to ongoing treatment for injury, and will continue to maintain their fitness at home.”

Most of Hearts’ non-football staff are also on furlough but the groundsman at Tynecastle Park is keeping the pitch maintained for when matches return.

The statement added: “The majority of our staff who are still working are doing so from the safety of their own home. However, we also need to ensure that Tynecastle Park is ready for our return.

“Our facilities team, whilst following government guidelines, continue to work at the stadium in order to take care of essential maintenance.

“Our Head Groundsman Colin is also working diligently to ensure the pitch is well looked after in preparation for the summer maintenance. At this point in time the pitch looks fabulous!”