'You have to take your hat off to her': Former Hearts defender backs Ann Budge over wage cuts

Former Hearts defender Alan McLaren has backed owner Ann Budge's decision to offer a 50 per cent reduction in wages to all players and staff.

The ex-Scottish international has sympathy with those who work for the club, but believes tough decisions need to be made in order to keep the club afloat during the Scottish football shutdown.

The coronavirus pandemic necessitated the indefinite suspension of the SPFL last weekend.

Following a crisis meeting chaired by Uefa, it was decided that all leagues should strive to have their domestic campaigns finished by the end of June, though many onlookers are sceptical this could be possible.

This would leave all Scottish clubs without regular income from matchday fixtures, while season-ticket sales for the following campaign would also be impacted.

Hearts also have the threat of relegation hanging over their heads as they currently occupy bottom-spot in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

McLaren reckons it's only right Budge has planned for the worst-case scenario and expects several other clubs to follow suit.

He told the Scottish Sun: “Ann seems to be under the impression we won’t have any football until August or later and she has taken a hard stance.

“I think this is what is best for the club and she is trying to get ahead of the curve. She will have been doing her sums, so she is well aware of the finances and what the club has in reserve. You have to take your hat off to her, it isn’t a decision she would have taken lightly.

“I think this could be a domino effect and a lot of other clubs could go down this route too.

“When I heard the news at first I thought they had maybe panicked. But when you look at the facts it doesn’t start until April. I thought they might have said about a 25 to 30 per cent cut but they have to think longer term.

“She was able to bring the club back from the brink of extinction before. She has to look to the future and I think this move might help the club until around September time if they don’t have any income.”