By Graeme Dey

DUNDEE CHIEF executive Peter Marr admitted yesterday that steering the Dark Blues through another season in the first division will require a further reduction in expenditure on the playing side.

As part of that process, half a dozen senior players who are under contract beyond this summer will be asked to renegotiate their deals and accept wage cuts.

“What we are in the process of doing is putting together a budget which will ensure we get to the end of next season still within the limits of our banking facility,” said Marr.

“And the fact is that, on their current terms, we have six players who are unaffordable.

“We are going to have to sit down with these guys and see how we address that situation.

“Last summer some of them agreed to small wage cuts. We need to take further steps in the direction of reducing costs, although of course they’d be within their rights to say no.”

Crocked defender Lee Wilkie and Simon Lynch, who has a get-out clause in his contract in any case and is expected to invoke it, are known to be amongst the six.

However, it is understood there is no intention to try to force Wilkie out of the club, at a time when once again there’s a serious question mark against his career.

Any approach to him will be on the same basis as the others, the need for a further reduction in expenditure and a request that he accept some form of wage cut.

Some of those approached, however, may well be unwilling to agree to a reduction in their income, which would leave club and player either at an impasse—something Dundee cannot afford to happen—or having to negotiate some form of departure settlement.

Supporters will wonder why, if the club are operating within the financial parameters laid down by HBOS and enjoyed a Scottish Cup run which hadn’t been budgeted for, they’ve told Alan Kernaghan and Billy Kirkwood they cannot afford to formally sack them and become liable for paying both a year’s money, and need to implement cut-backs in order to survive next term.

The rumour mill is churning out talk of a possible return to administration.

But Marr insisted, “We are working within our banking facility at the moment and are planning to remain in that position next season.

“The rumours about administration will always be there.

“The position we find ourselves in financially hasn’t come as a surprise.

“The money from the cup run has helped us remain well within our banking limits, but we’ll still post a six-figure loss for the season as we always knew we would.

“And of course the parachute payment from the SPL has gone.

“That’s why we have to look at contracts which are a legacy from the SPL, although there was some reduction made to them last year.”

Skipper Barry Smith’s deal is up at the end of next month, but whatever budget is eventually pieced together will include offering him the chance to remain at Dens.

Dundee believe that whatever financial restrictions their new manager will be working under, he will be able to add sufficient experience to the squad for them to mount a better promotion challenge next term.

Current boss Kernaghan and assistant Kirkwood will report for duty again this morning as the saga over finalising their departure from the club rumbles on.

But, one way or another, neither will be in the dugout on Saturday when Clyde come calling.

As things stand the parties are no closer to agreeing a severance deal.

Last night, despite Kernaghan and Kirkwood offering to accept substantially less of a pay-off than their contracts entitle them to in order to resolve the matter, Dundee hadn’t moved beyond offering the pair a sum equivalent only to two months’ salary.

There is a recognition on both sides that the circus of having two men taking the team who’ve been told by their employers that they are no longer wanted, and who have already incurred the wrath of the fans, should be avoided.

It is therefore odds-on that, over the next 24-48 hours, a means of securing Kernaghan and Kirkwood’s removal from the scene will be found.