Steven Naismith has agreed to take a 50% pay cut- on his incredible £7,500/week Hearts wages.
The former Everton and Norwich striker had two spells on loan at Tynecastle before agreeing a four year contract at the start of this season shortly before his 33rd birthday.
It seemed an incredible act of indulgence to give an injury prone 30-something a four year contract but the terms will go a long way to explaining the financial problems at the club.
On Wednesday Ann Budge announced that from April the club would be imposing a 50% wage cut on all employees.
Naismith’s pay cut would pay the basic wage for three or four players at clubs such as Livingston, Hamilton and St Mirren.
Tonight The Sun reports:
But now Naisy, 33, – believed to be on around £7,500-a-week – has revealed he’s prepared to accept the hefty wage-cut in a bid to save jobs.
The Scotland striker – who infamously quit Rangers during their cash crisis in 2012 – released a statement last night which read: “Like my team-mates, I’ve been thinking a lot about the request from Hearts to reduce our wages by 50 percent to help the club and protect as many jobs as possible during this uncertain period.
“I have discussed it at great length with my family. The current circumstances put everyone in a very difficult position, but this isn’t a problem of Hearts’ making.
“My family and I feel that, through a long career, football has been very good to us. Therefore, I personally feel that I can and should accept the 50 percent reduction in wages.
“I hope this can contribute in some way to the long-term survival of the club at a challenging time and save jobs, especially those that are the lowest earners and hence those who will be struggling the most at this time.
“I know every one of my team-mates have unique circumstances with their finances, homes and families. I can assure everyone they are all doing what they can. As captain of Hearts, I will fully support my team-mates, whatever decision each of them makes on this matter.
Naismith has started 14 SPFL matches this season, scoring four goals with his club rooted in bottom place with eight matches left to play. In 2012 he joined Everton as a free agent after Rangers went into liquidation.
[ad_pod id=”rezonence”]
Hearts boss Daniel Stendel has agreed to work for free as the club waits to find out when the season resumes, previous boss Craig Levein is under contract until the end of May and has also accepted a 50% pay cut.