Hibs to discuss wage cuts with squad due to financial impact of coronavirus

Easter Road Stadium during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. (Mark Scates / SNS Group)

Hibs players will be asked to take pay cuts for the season ahead due to the impact of Covid-19, it has been reported.

Wage deferrals have been in place at Easter Road since the game was shut down in March, now the club is reportedly planning to implement a reduction in salaries in order to further address the ongoing economic challenges.

With the Scottish Premiership set to return behind closed doors in August, the lack of gate income, combined with the additional costs of weekly testing, is expected to put club finances under strain.

Hibs took a hit when they missed out on around £100,000 in prize money after the decision to end the SPFL season on a points-per-game basis saw them drop from sixth to seventh in the final standings.

The Leith outfit will also lose two full houses next season following Hearts’ relegation, which was confirmed yesterday when SPFL clubs failed to support a final bid for league reconstruction, resulting in the Tynecastle club launching legal action.

The Gorgie side already secured wage cuts of up to 50 per cent for their first team squad last month after owner Ann Budge raised the possibility of terminating contracts under the controversial clause 12.

Hibs will be hopeful of reaching a more amicable agreement with their squad ahead of the return to training next Monday, with any plans to sign new players on hold until the wage deferral scheme ends.

Manager Jack Ross is also planning a change to his backroom team, with goalkeeper coach Alan Combe set to be replaced by Craig Samson, according to The Sun.

The ex-St Mirren stopper is currently employed by Rochdale but previously worked under Ross and assistant John Potter at Sunderland.