Former English Premier League midfielder Michael Brown has commended Rangers’ players and management for agreeing to defer their wages amid the cessation of Scottish football due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The club confirmed in a statement on their official website this week that the first team players and coaching staff, along with executive directors, have voluntarily taken a salary deferral for three months to help safeguard the financial future of other staff at Rangers during this challenging time.
Speaking to Football Insider, Brown praised those at Ibrox who agreed to defer their wages for the greater good, saying: “This is the thing we’re talking about now with the Coronavirus – what’s right, what’s wrong? I’m so impressed with the players because they want to try and help wherever they can. I have no doubt about it, players want to help in any situation.
“Sometimes they get criticism, but if you look around, most of the guys want to contribute something back. The bulk of them are offering a real positive. If they’ve got to defer their wages for the long term security of the club, the players will always buy into it.”
Brown is quite right to praise Gerrard, his players and his coaching staff for agreeing to defer payment for the next three months, given the current climate. In a week which has seen the SPFL proposing to end the league season early so that clubs in desperate need of short-term income can be paid prize money (as per The Telegraph), this gesture from Rangers sends out a timely message of solidarity with those who aren’t in a privileged position to contribute in such a manner. For staff on the lower end of the pay scale at Ibrox who may have been concerned about the security of their employment, it is a move which will surely be appreciated greatly.
Brown’s comments about players wanting to “help wherever they can” are also fair in the context of developments among English Premier League footballers this week. A number of players in the English top flight came together in recent days to form #PlayersTogether, an initiative which aims to provide financial support to NHS frontline staff amid the COVID-19 pandemic (as per BBC).
This gesture from Rangers players, management and board members should help to present the club in a very positive light and Brown has rightly commended those who have sacrificed their wages so that fellow Ibrox staff can benefit.
Rangers fans, were you impressed with the decision from some Ibrox staff to defer their wages during the coronavirus pandemic? Have your say by commenting below!
