Heart of Midlothian players have yet to receive their monthly salaries for the second time in a row as the Edinburgh club continues to face a financial crisis.
Hearts settled a £1.1million tax bill with HMRC on Monday and have been unable to pay their senior players who demand a monthly total of around £250,000 between them.
The players have been assured their cash will come but a Hearts insider told the Daily Record that there are likely to be tough times ahead.
"(Managing director) David (Southern) is doing all he can to placate the players and reassure them," said the insider.
He has made it clear to them that if the club was in any kind of danger they wouldn't be been handing a million quid to the taxman.
"It's not an ideal situation but I think the players now realise it could be a lot worse.
"However, the season ticket money has been spent and the cash we brought in from the Europa League tie with Spurs has gone as well. November and December will be very tough months."
