Hearts v Rangers: Hearts pledge to settle wages in ‘next few days’

AT THE end of a week when focus has been trained on the financial problems at Rangers there was some light glimpsed at the end of the tunnel for those Hearts players who are still awaiting salary payments.

A statement from the Tynecastle club last night claimed that payment will be made “over the next few days”. It revealed that while “the majority of the Hearts squad has been paid” there were still some payments outstanding. These delays involve the wages of “some senior players”.

It is likely that some of those asked to perform in tomorrow’s televised clash with Rangers at Tynecastle will be among those frustrated by the late payments, meaning players from both sides will be playing in the gloom of financial uncertainty. The personal impact is being most sorely felt by some of those from Hearts at present.

“We have spoken with the players and made them aware of the situation,” said a Hearts spokesman last night. “We are grateful for their patience and they know they will be paid in the near future.”

Ally McCoist knows exactly how Paulo Sergio is feeling as the Hearts manager attempts to rally his players against such a background. McCoist said it’s “the job of the players’ to maintain focus” and backed both teams to put on a show tomorrow.

“Hearts’ home record, as you’d expect, has been fantastic, as has our away form,” he said. “Without wanting to tempt fate it would all point to a great game.”

McCoist, meanwhile, will not stand in David Weir’s way if St Johnstone decide to approach the veteran defender about their managerial vacancy. However, the prospect of a trip to Tynecastle has reminded the Rangers manager why Weir is an ideal man to have around. The Ibrox skipper has been linked with McCoist’s former club and would seem to fit the profile chairman Geoff Brown normally prefers. But Weir’s performance against Liverpool on Tuesday night underlined why McCoist believes the 41-year-old still has a future at Rangers.

Weir led Rangers to victory and marked £35 million Andy Carroll out of the game. McCoist he would be “crazy” if Weir did not feature in his plans against Hearts.

Neither Carlos Bocanegro or Doran Goian, Rangers’ regular centre-halves, have played at Tynecastle. McCoist may therefore be inclined to include Weir as he prepares for a game where he could require reinforcements – capital clashes between Hearts and the Old Firm are known for their competitive edge. Ten-man Celtic suffered at the hands of the hosts earlier this month, while McCoist observed Hearts’ strengths at first hand on the opening day of the season. Rangers dropped two points at Ibrox in 1-1 draw and though manager Jim Jefferies has since left McCoist believes the Tynecastle side have clicked even further into gear.

“I’d argue the first 45 minutes of the season was the best football domestically a team has played against us,” said McCoist. “We’re certainly going [there] through with a bigger squad than normal.”

The Rangers manager watched Kirk Broadfoot, Matt McKay and Alejandro Bedoya all join Weir in making a claim to be considered after excelling in the 1-0 victory over Liverpool earlier this week. McCoist believes Weir still has much to contribute at Ibrox but will be guided by the player’s own views on the subject.

“I want to keep Davie Weir,” he said. “I’ve not heard anything [from St Johntone]. Davie and I have a relationship that he can come and talk to me whenever he wants about whatever he wants.

“But the way he performed on Tuesday night against £50 million of strike force [Andy Carroll and Craig Bellamy] it would be crazy of me not to have him in my plans. And he is in my plans.

“Would I stand in his way if an offer came in? To be honest, we would sit down and it would be whatever Davie wanted. He’s earned that, through his career here. One thing we would not do is fall out. We would chat man to man.

“I think it’s only a matter of time [before he leaves]. I firmly believe he will become a good coach or a good manager. When that is I do not know. But judging by Tuesday it’s maybe a lot further off than people would think. He plays the game in his head and he’s arguably one of the best at that. He can keep going for a good bit yet. So I’m hoping there is no call from St Johnstone.”

McCoist could do with having men of substance around him at Ibrox at present. He would not comment in detail on the further financial questions raised this week. However, he felt able to empathise with Sergio, who has had to face up to some difficult off-field pressures of his own.

“Haven’t we all,” sighed McCoist after it was put to him that the Hearts manager had a lot to cope with this week. “It’s a tough situation but he’s impressed me. As for all managers, there are times within a club that are sometimes harder than others. He seems to be handling it very well. He came out and backed his players.”