Hibs could be forced into selling several of their top stars if they enforce wage cuts.
Chairman Ron Gordon spelt out the financial disaster that the club are in as a result of the prolonged COVID-19 lockdown and admitted major savings will need to be made over the coming weeks and months.
The Hibs playing squad were pulled together for a Zoom meeting on Monday night and were informed that the club would be looking to try and renegotiate some contracts.
A lot of their top players are unhappy with the way the situation has been handled and the fact it was leaked to the media and then put out via club channels before they were told.
The majority of their squad have already agreed deferrals and now feel they are being pushed into a corner to take more cuts.
The players are sympathetic to the club’s plight and if it means saving jobs then they would be prepared to play their part, depending on their own individual circumstances.
It all depends on the severity of the cuts but if they are swingeing then some players may look to get out this summer.
It could also depend if Hibs are to offer contract extensions in exchange for cuts, which may appeal to some of their squad.
A major issue for a lot of the players is that they believe the club is still looking at targets in the transfer window and would be unwilling to take reductions if it means freeing up money for new signings.
A lot of the players also feel with US owner Gordon’s wealth that he could help more to get the club through its current predicament.
The players are also considering their positions and waiting to see how the club will progress the situation.
Hibs sporting director Graeme Mathie has already been told to do what he can do to try and help the club trade out of their current predicament.
The club may have to sell the likes of Martin Boyle and Ofir Marciano, who are both in the final year of their contracts and are unlikely to sign extensions.
Hibs may also have to brave themselves in interest in some of their other top stars like top scorer Christian Doidge and playmaker Scott Allan.
The club’s cost-cutting has already started with coaches Grant Murray, Colin Nish and Lee Makel set to become the first victims.
The reserve and academy coaches have already been told that their posts look set to be made redundant in a desperate bid to save cash.
A consultation period is set to be put in place with several members of staff from the coaching, to the football, scouting and academy staff.
Murray, who has been involved in the first-team, while Nish and Makel are both coaches in the academy and under the first-team and the problem is that all football outside of the Premiership is still in lockdown until beyond August.
It is a major disappointment for former Raith Rovers boss Murray who also assisted Eddie May as part of the caretaker management team after Paul Heckingbottom left last season.
Goalkeeping coach Alan Combe has also left the club but he has been replaced by Craig Samson, who manager Jack Ross has previously worked with at Sunderland and St Mirren.
