Dundee Offer Gary Harkins Two-Year Deal

[JoeCovenant]

Dundee have moved to tie Gary Harkins down on a new two-year deal.

But the Tele understands the 31-year-old has been told, should he sign, it will be on much-reduced terms.

Harkins only recently decided to take up the option on his present deal to stay on at Dens Park for another year. As a result he is contracted at the club until the summer of 2017.

However the Dark Blues want Harkins to pen a longer deal. They’ve lined him up to start next season with the armband should James McPake not recover in time from his serious knee injury.

The club have tabled a new deal for Harkins and it’s believed the player is considering his options.

But the catch, should he sign, is that in trade for the added security of another 12 months and a contract beyond his 33rd birthday, Harkins, one of Dundee’s highest earners, will have to take a considerable cut in wages.

It is thought that figure is in the region of 25% of his present pay packet.

It remains to be seen whether the popular figure will put pen to paper.

But with the option on his present deal — which was based on the number of appearances he made over the last two seasons — already taken up, and his immediate future secured, time is on Harkins’ side.

As a result the player may yet wait before giving the club a definitive answer on their proposal.

Meanwhile, Dark Blues chiefs are still also waiting for an answer from full-back Paul McGinn after offering him an extension.

The former Dumbarton defender’s present contract runs out in June and manager Paul Hartley has admitted he’s keen to get the 25-year-old, who, when fit, has been an almost ever-present in the side, tied down for next season.

“We have offered him something and we are still waiting to hear back,†he said.

“I have left that with the managing director.

“He is a player we definitely want to keep.â€

Beyond the gaffer’s comments, the club and those close to the player have remained tight-lipped on whether McGinn will put pen to paper.

The full-back, who has made 73 appearances for the club since signing in the summer of 2014, was recently linked with a move to Celtic and is understood to have attracted interest from south of the border.

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[JoeCovenant]

Hmm...

The above *does* read as if the deal IS only 25% of current wage.

NOT a reduction of 25%.

It might just be badly written, but it certainly isn't clear.

Logic alone would dictate that to offer him 25% of his current wage is an insult.

But then you could also argue that it's a ploy to offer him a deal they know he won't accept....

Bloody sloppy journos.

(Wondering if it's a typo, and should read "25% OFF his present pay packet.")

[OrientDee]

Hmm...

The above *does* read as if the deal IS only 25% of current wage.

NOT a reduction of 25%.

It might just be badly written, but it certainly isn't clear.

Logic alone would dictate that to offer him 25% of his current wage is an insult.

But then you could also argue that it's a ploy to offer him a deal they know he won't accept....

Bloody sloppy journos.

(Wondering if it's a typo, and should read "25% OFF his present pay packet.")

[OrientDee]

Must be bad grammer as he would simply stay on the deal he is on and earn more than if he signed the 2 year deal.

[Cobra]

"Harkins will have to take a considerable cut in wages.

 

"It is thought that figure is in the region of 25% of his present pay packet."

 

I think they are saying that it's a 25% cut in wages although the wording isn't great.

[gedee]

Think some other poster said, they would not be too happy if their own wage was openly/publicy discussed in this manner.

Would agree with this. More so, with the added confusion ... " 25% off or 25% of "   Will all this affect GH's final decision ?