Jambos paid up by Vlad

TROUBLED Hearts finally paid their players last night.

Owner Vladimir Romanov released the cash — including all the outstanding bonuses — yesterday in a bid to halt a growing revolt at the Tynecastle club.

Hours earlier SunSport had revealed FIFA rules would have allowed angry stars to walk away for nothing in January if Romanov had continued to refuse to cough up.

But by paying out Romanov has halted that threat for now — although Hearts' NEXT payday is just 12 days away.

The payout is a welcome morale boost for manager Paulo Sergio ahead of today's trip to St Mirren.

The Hearts manager had put his own neck on the line on Thursday when he pleaded with his players not to file a formal complaint through PFA Scotland to the SPL.

Yesterday his actions paid off when the money was transferred from Lithuania — nearly three weeks after it was due to be paid on October 16.

On Thursday we revealed Hearts officials had told players to look for new clubs during the January transfer window.

Since then the Jambos have confirmed a series of cost-cutting measures are to be put in place to try and slash the club's massive £30million debt.

That may yet see squad members leave for next to nothing when the window opens in just over seven weeks time.

Aberdeen boss Craig Brown admitted the Dons would be one of a number of clubs closely monitoring events — especially if there is another delay between now and January.

He said: "You have to say we'd be interested. If fees are involved then forget it as we simply don't have the money.

"But if any became available for free they will be of interest to every other club in the SPL.

"I know a lot of the Hearts players well, such as John Sutton who I worked with at Motherwell.

"It's a desperate day for Scottish football and a reminder that we have to be careful to survive.

"I'd love to have more money to spend but I know that is not possible."