Ann Budge is “astonished” that all 42 SPFL clubs have so far survived the Covid crisis. However, the Tynecastle chief has warned they are not out of the woods yet.Budge, like every board member in the land, has been forced to fight fires amid a total loss of gate receipts, hospitality and a severe drop in sponsorship — among a swathe of other challenges.
The Jambos were one of the first clubs to impose swingeing salary reductions last March and have continued to mitigate their losses while remaining top of the Championship.
Every other club in Scotland’s senior divisions have also remained solvent but Budge believes it is impossible to overstate the importance of the government’s furlough scheme.And, given that support will not last.