As The Edinburgh Reporter suggested last week, Hearts have exited administration after official documents were lodged with the Court of Session in Edinburgh earlier in the week – one week short of a year since the Gorgie side appointed an administrator with debts of around £30m.
A consequence of Hearts going into administration was that the SPFL imposed a 15 point deduction and the Maroons, also faced with a signing embargo, never looked like catching the sides above them, even though they won more games and more points than city rivals Hibernian who were relegated alongside Hearts.
Hearts owner Ann Budge released a statement on the club’s official website.
“We kept going and it’s wonderful that we’re here, eventually. There have been many days when I thought there were just too many challenges facing us but we didn’t lose hope.
We want to get a really strong management team in place – I don’t just mean on the field, off the field as well – and basically ensure that this club never has to go through this again.
When we do hand the club over to the fans in a few years’ time, it will be in the best possible shape.”
With Hearts now formally out of administration, the ban on the registration of players imposed by the league last year will be lifted and Director of Football Craig Levein will now be allowed to make signings. Hearts have been linked with Hamilton Academical striker James Keatings and former Dundee United player Morgao Gomis. Speculation is also linking former Hearts star Rudi Skacel with a return to the club he loves although it is understood Hearts want the Czech Republic star to take a coaching position while Skacel is keen to extend his playing career.
His adoring Hearts support will be looking for a compromise to be reached.
Author of The Team for Me - 50 Years of Following Hearts. Runs Mind Generating Success, a successful therapy practice in Edinburgh. Contact me if you want rid of any unwanted habits. Twitter @Mike1874
