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Coronavirus latest: Hearts captain Steven Naismith agrees 50% pay cut

The 33-year-old has a contract until 2023.

Hearts captain Steven Naismith has pledged to accept a 50 per cent pay cut in order to save jobs and help the club survive during the coronavirus crisis.

Players have been asked to halve their wages by the struggling Edinburgh side following the suspension of the Ladbrokes Premiership.

Scotland international Naismith is willing to meet the demand and plans to remain at Tynecastle next season "regardless of which league the club is in".

Relegation-threatened Hearts, managed by Daniel Stendel, currently sit at the foot of the division, four points adrift of second-bottom Hamilton.

"The current circumstances put everyone in a very difficult position, but this isn't a problem of Hearts' making," Naismith said in a statement.

"My family and I feel that, through a long career, football has been very good to us. Therefore, I personally feel that I can and should accept the 50 per cent reduction in wages.

"I hope this can contribute in some way to the long-term survival of the club at a challenging time and save jobs, especially those that are the lowest earners and hence those who will be struggling the most at this time.

Hearts, managed by Daniel Stendel, are bottom of the Scottish Premiership
Hearts, managed by Daniel Stendel, are bottom of the Ladbrokes Premiership (Jane Barlow/PA)

"I know every one of my team-mates have unique circumstances with their finances, homes and families. I can assure everyone they are all doing what they can."

Former Rangers, Everton and Norwich forward Naismith joined Hearts in January 2018, initially on loan. The 33-year-old's contract runs until 2023.

"As captain of Hearts, I will fully support my team-mates, whatever decision each of them makes on this matter," he continued.

"I am making a commitment to stay at Hearts, regardless of which league the club is in, next season and look forward to continuing to lead as captain. I consider it an honour to represent Hearts."

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General view of Tynecastle Park, home to Hearts, from 2011
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Group
1Celtic220085275884
2RangersRangers220078255381
3Hearts20114637963
4Kilmarnock20114438652
5St Mirren21014246-446
6Dundee20024659-1341
Relegation Group
1Hibernian21014854-642
2Aberdeen22003749-1241
3Motherwell21015053-340
4Ross County21013459-2533
5St Johnstone20022550-2531
RLivingston21012563-3821
 
First Phase
1Celtic33246380265478
2RangersRangers33243672234975
3Hearts33195946341262
4Kilmarnock33131284334951
5St Mirren33127143843-543
6Dundee331011124454-1041
7Hibernian33912124451-739
8Motherwell33813124651-537
9Aberdeen33811143549-1435
10St Johnstone33710162446-2231
11Ross County3379173256-2430
RLivingston3339212259-3718


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