Hearts transfer plans branded a 'disgrace' by Michael Stewart as pundit calls for 'wholesale changes'

The pundit was ticked off regarding Hearts apparent summer transfer plans
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Ex-Hearts midfielder Michael Stewart has blasted his former club for a reported email sent to agents sounding out potential signings.

The pundit also called for “wholesale changes” to be made at Tynecastle once the coronavirus pandemic is over.

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It was reported on Monday that the club’s head of pro player recruitment John Murray had approached agents via email to ask about available players, noting the club may have money to spend on transfer fees.

Michael Stewart has hit out at his former club Hearts. Picture: SNSMichael Stewart has hit out at his former club Hearts. Picture: SNS
Michael Stewart has hit out at his former club Hearts. Picture: SNS

Stewart labelled the move a “disgrace” following owner Ann Budge's move to ask staff to take a 50 percent wage cut.

“Either Budge signed off on it despite asking people to take 50 per cent wage cuts or she didn’t know about it and things like this are going on behind her back at Tynecastle,” Stewart wrote in his Scottish Sun column.

“Either way, it’s not a good look. And, not surprisingly, it has upset a lot of people.

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If you’re a staff member seeing that, you’d be right to ask what on earth is going on? If, as a player, you read the stuff about bringing in free transfers, that’s not great in itself.

The club's head of pro player recruitment reportedly sent an email to agents regarding players. Picture: SNSThe club's head of pro player recruitment reportedly sent an email to agents regarding players. Picture: SNS
The club's head of pro player recruitment reportedly sent an email to agents regarding players. Picture: SNS

“I mean, what message does that send when you’ve just been asked to halve your wages? But saying you may be in a position to pay a transfer fee? That’s appalling.”

‘Shambles’

Stewart questioned the role of Murray, as well as those of Craig Levein and Austin MacPhee who have been sharing director of football responsibilities.

He said: “Strategically the club is a shambles. Bad decisions keep being made and it all comes from the top.

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“Murray has been at Hearts for as long as I can remember. He was director of football at one stage, now he has the title of Head of Player Recruitment.

“Well, player recruitment at that club has been brutal. So what’s he been doing? Either he’s been doing it and it’s been terrible or, if he hasn’t, why is he still there?

“And if he has, can someone tell me what Craig Levein and Austin MacPhee are meant to be doing there?”

The former Hearts captain, who played under Levein, reckons that once Scottish football is back to normality changes will have to be made at Tynecastle.

“Once we get to that stage you have to hope wholesale changes are made at that club,” he wrote. “They are desperately needed, that’s for sure — and that email is just another reason why.”