Locke: I feared Hearts would suffer like Pars

Gary Locke feared the nightmare scenario that cash-strapped Dunfermline find themselves in could have occurred at Hearts earlier this season.

The Irn-Bru First Division Pars have been placed into interim administration over a tax bill of £134,000, with interim administrator Bryan Jackson expected to make cuts today at a club whose chances of survival he rates as only 50-50.

Hearts, for their part, have spent most of the campaign in turmoil, notwithstanding a trip to Hampden for the Scottish Communities League Cup final a fortnight ago when they lost 3-2 to St Mirren.

Late payment of wages to players brought sharp focus to ongoing financial problems at a club which staved off a winding-up order in December after supporters raised more than £1million to help pay off tax debts.

While Hearts supporters' groups held a "productive" meeting at Tynecastle to discuss options for future fan ownership of the club this week, manager Locke, who was thrust into the hot seat on a permanent basis earlier in the month following the departure of John McGlynn, glanced over to Fife and was grateful that he is able to prepare for the Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash with Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Saturday.

"It's difficult for me because my only focus is Hearts but it could possibly have been us earlier this season," said the former Hearts defender who experienced the effects of financial problems at a club when he played for Bradford.

"When you're in a situation where people aren't getting paid, it certainly does worry you.

"Hopefully we've got through that difficult time. But what's happening at Dunfermline is a sharp reminder for us.

"They're a great club and everyone at Hearts hopes they can pull through. People will be told they don't have jobs and that's not a great position for anyone. I experienced something similar at Bradford when I played there.

"You go on holiday and come back to be told you're out of work. So I really feel for players and staff at Dunfermline.

"A lot of things went on at Bradford but effectively I was made redundant. Fortunately for me I got a great move to Kilmarnock. Some of the other players weren't so lucky.

"Telling players they don't have a job any more. That must be the worst thing for any manager to deal with. But the days of big wages are gone, not just for Hearts but for all the clubs in Scotland.

"If you go back 10 years the players at clubs like Dundee and Dunfermline were all on big money.

"We have to be realistic, we can't attract those type of players any more. The sooner everybody realises that the better. For ourselves, it's been a harsh lesson. But hopefully we've almost turned the corner and we can look ahead now."

Locke is looking for his 10th-placed side to bounce back from their Hampden disappointment against the Dons, who will have Craig Brown in charge at home for the last time before he makes way for his successor, Derek McInnes.

Locke said: "We all realise at Hearts that it's been a disappointing season.

"A club like ourselves shouldn't be in the position we're in. But we are and the target is to finish as high up the table as we can because every league place means more money.

"Everyone knows the financial situation here so from my point of view, the season isn't over by a long way.

"The club still isn't out of the woods yet. It's been a battle on all fronts this season but credit to everyone associated with Hearts - they've all done a great job under very difficult circumstances.

"Hopefully for us all, things can be resolved in the summer and we can look forward to a better campaign.

"I told the players after Hampden, we can't feel sorry for ourselves.

"I want them now to put in performances that merit the Hearts jersey."

Meanwhile, Jamie Hamill will return to the Hearts squad for the first time in almost a year for the Clydesdale Bank Premier League game against Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Saturday, Gorgie boss Gary Locke has confirmed.

The Jambos right-back, 26, has been out since rupturing his cruciate knee ligament during an indoor training session last April but has almost completed his rehabilitation.

"Jamie has come through two under-20 games, he played 60 minutes in one and 75 in the other and looked really good," said Locke.

"He has trained for a number of weeks so he will come into contention for the squad for the weekend."

Locke's own career was disrupted by injury and thus he empathised with the former Kilmarnock player's frustration during his spell on the sidelines.

He said: "I know exactly what he has gone through. Unfortunately for me I was in the same position.

"It is a nightmare. You just want to get out on the pitch.

"He has had a couple of niggles which you will get being out as long as he has, but he has worked really hard and hopefully he will get his rewards before the end of the season in terms of he might get a few first-team games.

"But he has been out for a long time so to do anything silly now would be stupid of him.

"I think it is important that he gets a few games before now and the end of the season, gets a good pre-season behind him and hopefully we will see the best of him at the start of next season."

Taken from the Herald