Steven Naismith draws on Rangers experience as he accepts 50% wage cut at Hearts

Steven Naismith says that, having played at the top level in England, he is in a more furtunate position than players who have only played in Scotland. Picture: SNS.

The Scotland international forward sees both differences and similarities to the difficulties faced by the Tynecastle club amid the current coronavirus pandemic and the financial implosion at Rangers back in 2012.

Naismith agreed to a 75 per cent wage reduction when Rangers initially went into administration before leaving the club he supported as a boy when he was unwilling to transfer his services to the controversial ownership of businessman Charles Green who bought their business and assets from liquidation.

“It’s helped having that experience,” said Naismith. “The initial situation creates a lot of uncertainty and worry. You saw how long things progressed at Rangers. You have got time to sit and take a breath and understand the full situation. When something like that gets thrust upon you, it is a shock to the system. Back in those days you were much more naïve. What you feel you’re doing is definitely the right thing.

“I think it proved to be the right thing in terms of giving the staff (at Rangers) the best chance at the club back then. How it’s perceived can be totally different to that. There are different aspects to it that you take – good and bad. Like everything in life you do learn from experiences.

“There have been a lot of similarities to the Rangers situation but also big differences, especially in terms of the way matters have come about in this case which is a global threat where everyone is faced with finding the best way to get through.

“At this moment in time, we’re in a situation nobody could ever fathom would get like this. People’s health is the number one concern. The economy is shutting right down and what that means for people’s lives, it does become less about football and more concern for everybody and everything else as so many lives are affected.”

Hearts owner Ann Budge has attracted criticism for the financial condition at the club but Naismith has backed her approach and insists the call to cut wages was not a surprise.

“It wasn’t a massive shock,” he added. “There had been the build-up before, not within the club but in general. Everything was shutting down and there were questions when the league would start.

“It’s pretty clear in Scottish football there’s not a lot of money, so clubs do all they can to have squads as strong as they can and to try to run as successful businesses. But it’s not as if they have reserves of cash sitting about. You knew something would come from the club. In terms of having to take cuts, I don’t think everyone would think it would go like that. But once Ann explained it, it was more a conversation to say she was trying to protect all jobs.

“As she’s done with every member of staff within the business, she didn’t want to treat anyone differently. The only slight difference is players’ contracts and players being employees and assets.

“Ann’s just trying to be proactive and she’s been doing all she can to make sure it has as least impact as possible. When the government came out and said they’ll pay 80 per cent of up to a £2,500 monthly wage of employees not working for their employer, Ann was straight back to explain this is what’s going to need to happen now. That’s better for a lot of people in the business on  lesser salaries.

“Ann’s just trying to get the best for the club. She’s trying to save jobs, which after our meeting was pretty clear. I must say everybody at the club on the football side I’ve spoken to and dealt with are all trying to do what they can. Everyone’s situation is totally different. I’ve been fortunate I’ve had a good career and I’ve played in England where the financial side of the game is much more rewarding. I’m in a position where I can do this.

“There are so many implications to it and it’s very hard to get a unanimous decision with 30-odd players. I’m in a situation where what the club have asked, I can do. I want to help where I can and that’s what I’ve done. Other players might want to help but they might not be able to do it at that level. It’s a situation that probably no-one else in the squad will have faced before. Not many were at Hearts when they went into administration. The squad has hard working guys who know the right thing to do and will come to the conclusion they feel is right for their family. It goes way beyond football, this situation. I’ve just tried to give my advice in terms of how to reach a decision they need to make.”