Former Hearts administrator expects wage clubs at more clubs

The man who helped save Hearts fears the Jam Tarts will not be the only club forced to implement wage cuts.

Administrator Bryan Jackson played a key role as the Tynecastle outfit were brought back from the brink of collapse in 2013.

But the Gorgie outfit face a fresh fight for survival as the coronavirus shutdown leaves Scottish football staring at a cash-flow crisis.

Hearts owner Ann Budge says all staff – including Daniel Stendel’s first-team – must accept a 50 per cent cut in salary or agree a termination package if the club is to cling-on while domestic action is halted.

And Jackson admits Budge will not be the only chairman considering drastic action.

The consultant at financial giants Johnston Carmichael told the PA news agency: “Depending on the time scales of the whole situation, I could see other clubs going down the same route because they will eventually end up in the same position as Hearts.

“Each club is different and has its own levels of reserves.

“Some have enough that will mean they can manage through two or three months.

“But for most clubs that will be extremely difficult.

“Any club that is struggling by on a tight budget, this coronavirus panic could be enough to put them over the edge.

“So it wouldn’t surprise me to see other clubs saying, ‘As brutal as it is to enforce pay cuts, if it helps us survive we have to do it’.”

Jackson helped stabilise the club when they were plunged into administration on the back of the collapse of former owner Vladimir Romanov’s business empire.

The football finance expert has also helped rescue Motherwell, Clyde, Dundee and Dunfermline from going bust.

The 64-year-old is now semi-retired but has offered his services to any other clubs fearing the worst amid the pandemic panic.

“If there is anything I could do to help I would of course try to help,” he said. “But most clubs are better run nowadays than they ever have been.

“They tend to have good financial people working in them who can manage these situations.

“But if I was ever asked to help then of course I would.”