Danny joy

Stopper gets green light to sign for Jambos
ROBERT GRIEVE

DANNY WILSON has agreed a shock deal to carry on playing for crisis club Hearts.

The Scotland stopper feared his move to Tynecastle was off after the crisis club plunged into administration.

But Jambos bean counter Bryan Jackson last night told gaffer Gary Locke he CAN now sign the ex-Liverpool defender.

Hearts are not allowed to sign new players after being hit with a transfer embargo.

But SFPL chiefs are satisfied they are only extending Wilson’s registration as he was on loan at Hearts from Anfield last season.

Jackson was also able to sanction the deal as he had budgeted for John Sutton staying — only for the striker to refuse a pay cut and seal a return to Motherwell instead.

Wilson had to accept a deal on 50 per cent less money than he had previously agreed.

But he still jumped at the chance to sign a two-year contract.

Thrilled boss Locke last night said: “I’m delighted Danny has signed a deal. He was a signed Hearts player at the time we went into administration so I think that was the reason we were able to sign him.”

Hearts were hit with a 15-point penalty and will kick off the new season rooted to the bottom of the SPL.

But their manager hopes having talent like Wilson in his squad will see them climb the league fast.

Locke, who met fans at a rally at Tynecastle yesterday added: “It is important we try and be as competitive as we can on the pitch and we will certainly have a better chance with players like Danny in the team.

“He is a fantastic player, a full international. When John Sutton moved on, we thought there was a chance of being able to keep Danny, which proved to be the case.

“I’m delighted because I was really disappointed when we were going to miss out on him.

“When we knew we could get him signed up, Danny was only too willing to do his bit as well.

“He has had to take a wage cut, so it shows how much the lad wants to be here.

“He’s made a lot of sacrifices to be here, as have other players and I can’t thank them enough.”

SPLF chiefs moved quickly to insist the deal for Wilson does not contradict the Jambos’ transfer embargo.

A statement read: “The SPFL player registration of Hearts player Danny Wilson would, had he not agreed a contract extension, have terminated on 30 June.

“The SPFL has now received documents extending the contract of the player. As a result, the player’s SPFL registration is automatically extended and is not affected by the embargo on new SPFL player registrations currently in place on Hearts.”

Meanwhile, Billy Brown has revealed he has offered to work for FREE as Locke’s No2.

Locke has been told there is no money available to pay an assistant.

Brown, who was No2 to Jim Jefferies during two spells at Tynecastle, said: “I’ve told Gary I would gladly help him out.

“He is somebody I have a lot of time for, while Hearts is obviously a club I know well.

“At the minute they are struggling and I want to help all I can and I‘ve offered my services to Gary, so we will see what happens.

“The fans have been magnificent in their response and Gary has coped with the situation well.”