DANNY WILSON admitted he was wracked with guilt before re-signing for Hearts.
Wilson agreed a three-year move to Tynecastle from Liverpool only for that to appear to go up in smoke after the club plunged into administration.
But eagle-eyed director of football John Murray uncovered a registration loophole that meant the deal could be sealed, despite Jambos having to cope with a transfer embargo as they bid to solve their cash crisis.
Wilson watched as 14 staff members were made redundant and revealed he only agreed to return after assurances from administrators that his wage wouldn’t lead to others leaving.
The new Hearts skipper said: “I had a meeting with the administrators before I signed and the redundancies were one of the things we spoke about.
“It’s terrible people have lost their jobs and I did feel bad.
“I told the administrator that if me coming back in any way harmed the club further then I didn’t want to do it.
“We talked around it, I’ve taken the wage cut to stay and he said it wouldn’t be that way.
“Hopefully when the club gets back on its feet there’s a chance for them to come and get their jobs back.
“That was probably my main thought throughout the whole process, how I felt about people losing their jobs.
“At the end of the day, I’ve been asked to come back here and do a job.
“Getting a team on the pitch that is going to be competitive is obviously going to help the club get through these months.”
Wilson had given up on his dream of an extended stay at Hearts and had informal talks with other clubs, believed to include Dundee United.
He added: “I think that John was the man who discovered I was still able to join the club.
“I didn’t know too much about it but I got a call in the middle of last week saying there was a possibility of it happening and he worked really hard to do all the paperwork.
“I’d been talking to a few other clubs to hear what they had to say because you need to know your options, but once I found out there was a chance of coming back to Hearts I needed to know all the facts.
“I took time and spoke to my girlfriend and family. We felt this was the right decision.
“My family and friends all knew how happy I was here at Hearts and that if there was a chance that I could stay then I would do that.
“People on the outside looking in might think it’s nuts but I made the commitment a month and a half ago to join Hearts.
“I bought a house and I’m happy with my team-mates and the manager.
“There was no part of me desperate for a change so I was more than happy to sign.
“I can understand why some might find it strange but if they were in my shoes maybe they would understand.”
Being handed the captaincy came as an unexpected bonus.
Manager Gary Locke was given the armband at the same age as Wilson and went on to become a club legend.
He sees a bit of himself in the player and the 21-year-old added: “The captaincy is just a massive honour. We don’t have too many senior players on the pitch so no matter who the captain is, everyone has to be a leader. That includes the young boys coming in.
“But I’m delighted and I’ll strive to be the best captain that I can be.
“We’re going to have a tough season so we need everyone pulling in the same direction.
“I was surprised but the boss discussed it and asked how I felt about it. There’s no way that you’re going to turn down a captaincy.
“I get on really well with the manager and we have a lot of respect for each other.
“I did know he was captain at Hearts at 21 as well so he’s been through it all before.
“I will be able to bounce off him because he has been through the same situation.”
Having resigned himself to leaving Hearts, Wilson made sure he joined the fundraising drive regardless, buying four season tickets before donating them to supporters who otherwise wouldn’t have been able to afford them.
The gesture sealed his cult hero status with the supporters.
He said: “I really like the place. I spoke to the people about the club and I knew about the Big Hearts and their push to get season tickets to people that couldn’t afford it.
“I just felt it was a great scheme to be part of and to give a ticket to a fan that wanted to help but couldn’t afford it.
“I have really enjoyed being at this club since the day I got here. Everyone has been warm and welcoming and I get on well with everyone.”
Hearts diehard Allan Preston works for the agency that represents Wilson and the player admits he has been nudged gently in the right direction recently.
He laughed: “Allan is a massive Jambo! Once he found out he was pushing for it. He’s done everything he can to help off the pitch and I know he’s bought season tickets. “He’s delighted I’m his player and now captain of Hearts.”
