Rangers players, management and executive staff have agreed to defer half of their wages for three months in order to allow “a number of staff” placed on the government’s furlough scheme to receive their full pay and avoid any potential wage cuts, as reported in The Scottish Sun.
The Ibrox club are the latest to announce measures to compensate for the loss of income during the current coronavirus pandemic and it is a step which is sure to be popular amongst the Gers support with the higher earners putting the backbone of the club first.
Celtic recently announced that they would be taking advantage of the government’s scheme and with Westminster paying 80%, they are adding the additional 20% so that their non-playing staff don’t suffer financial hardship with, as yet, no impact on their high earners.
With no clarity on when football might return, there has, however, been a chink of light at the end of the tunnel with the news that the Premier League are in discussions to start again in June, indeed, FIFA have stipulated that season 2019/20 should be extended indefinitely so that sporting integrity can be maintained.
FIFA has backed UEFA’s stance following the Belgian league’s decision to abort their season early and award prizes and European places based on current standings, however, the governing body released a statement soon after warning against such actions and that completing fixtures remains a priority.
Countries that fail to heed their advice could lose out on places in UEFA competitions which would be an expensive price for a lack of patience.
With Celtic now changing their tune and claiming that they now want to see the league finished to it’s natural conclusion, Rangers stance from day one now looks to have been justified all along.
The Gers have certainly come out of the crisis better than their Old Firm rivals, both morally and professionally.