Gary Locke’s job safe says Hearts administrator

Gary Locke's job is safe say BDO. Picture: Ian Georgeson

Sunday’s 2-0 defeat to Partick Thistle has left the troubled Gorgie outfit 19 points adrift of Ross County at the Premiership basement with only 17 matches remaining.

And the Gorgie club have also found out today that their appeal to have the club’s transfer restrictions lifted have been rejected by the Scottish FA.

After being handed a 15 point penalty during the summer due to their grave financial troubles, Hearts still remain two points shy of quashing that punishment.

Separate transfer embargoes from the SFA and SPFL and a squad of only 14 recognised professional outfield players have effectively left Locke working with his hands tied behind his back.

But the former club captain has not been immune to criticism from supporters, with a poll on a fans’ website indicating that an overwhelming majority want him out.

With supporters group the Foundation of Hearts hoping to take the club out of administration in the coming months, BDO administrator Jackson insists he has no plans for a dugout reshuffle.

Jackson said: “We’re sticking with Gary and hopefully Gary’s sticking with us.

“He’s shown fantastic loyalty since we went into administration and we have to show the same to him.

“Everybody knows he’s a Hearts man through and through; quite frankly to even think of changing management at this time, with the squad of players we’ve got, you’d have to be some kind of miracle worker.

“Gary’s doing incredibly well with the resources that he has. Anybody else coming in, they’re going to have the same resources. You also have to remember that we’re here, hopefully in a temporary capacity.

“So, that’s a major decision and something to be considered for the future. That would be for new owners rather than the administrators.

“It is about saving the club and I hope all the fans will continue to turn up, support the team and hopefully we can get through the next few months successfully.”

Battle

Speaking after the weekend’s loss to Thistle, their 14th in the league, Locke vowed to continue in the hot-seat.

Asked if he was still up for the task, Locke replied: “Of course I am, I am up for the battle. It’s very difficult, it’s hard because we’re put out a side that is very young but I still feel they should be doing better than they did in the first 45 minutes.

“We’re up against it there is no doubt about that. The gap is getting bigger and we need to do better at Tynecastle.”

Jackson, meanwhile has confirmed he was unsuccessful in trying to ease their signing restrictions following talks talks with the SFA.

He said: “We’ve put all the arguments forward and, not surprisingly, they’ve all been rejected.

“Nothing is going to change with regard to the sanctions and I feel really sorry for Gary in that we can’t do anything to help him.

“Those restrictions are there, we’ve tried and there’s nothing we can do about it.”