'You want to see Hearts in the league' - Hibs captain David Gray has say on 'no-brainer' wage deferrals and rival's relegation issue

The Hampden Park hero explains the process behind the club’s wage deferrals
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Hibs captain David Gray has admitted he would prefer rivals Hearts to remain in the Ladbrokes Premiership but fully understands if the Tynecastle side are relegated.

The 2016 Scottish Cup-winning hero was at the forefront of the Easter Road side’s decision to implement a wage deferral of between 20%-50% in what has been a period of relative calm in Leith since the postponement of Scottish football.

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It has been juxtaposed by uncertainty at Hearts with the threat of relegation continuing to loom over the club.

David Gray has had his say on the club's wage deferrals and possible relegation for Hearts. Picture: SNSDavid Gray has had his say on the club's wage deferrals and possible relegation for Hearts. Picture: SNS
David Gray has had his say on the club's wage deferrals and possible relegation for Hearts. Picture: SNS

If the SPFL’s termination proposal which would see the leagues decided by points per game is agreed it would push the Gorgie side nearer the trap door.

Gray wants the derbies to remain but is conflicted with the acceptance that Celtic should be crowned league winners.

“If you are making Celtic champions and going off the way the league standings at the minute then that’s what needs to happen,” he told PLZ Soccer.

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“From my point of view you want to see Hearts in the league, definitely. They are fantastic games to be involved in, the derbies. The fixture we look forward to all the time and it’s better for Scottish football having top teams at the top.

“But at the end of the day they are where they are in the league and the circumstances are so unprecedented the situation is what it is.”

The key issue for Gray is the health of all clubs and while not envious of those making the decision feels a quicker resolution would be more beneficial.

“There’s that many clubs so unsure of survival more than anything else,” he said. “The earlier they can make that decision, whatever that decision may be, the clubs will be in a better position for it and prepare accordingly.

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“The longer it goes without a decision being made the more uncertainty develops around the clubs and they might be rushed into making decisions if they hold off a little bit they might be able to find an alternative.”

No-brainer

Gray, who is continuing to study for a management diploma at university through the coronavirus pandemic, was influential in the club’s wage deferral decision which was roundly praised by those in Scottish football.

The 31-year-old explained the straight-forward nature of what could well have been a tricky issue.

“I think most importantly everybody understands the severity of the situation,” Gray said. “It’s a no-brainer when you think about how the club have got bills to pay, they’ve got staff to pay and there’s no money coming in because there’s nobody watching us to play football.

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“The club were very good. They had conversations initially, what their ideas were and what they wanted to put forward to the players, and then they involved me in the conversations.

“Myself and the gaffer [Jack Ross] had a few good chats with Graeme Mathie and members of the board which were very productive. I was included the whole way along.

“Once we got to a place we were happy we then introduced it to the rest of the players and they all bought into it.”