Aberdeen Has Always Been A Family Club So Taking A Wage Cut Isn't About The Playing Staff This Is About Our Colleagues The Ticket Office, The Canteen And In Hospitality

Devlin hails Dons stars after agreeing deferral

- Scott McDermott

Footballers are used to sticking together on the pitch.

By deferring part of their wages for four months, Mikey Devlin says Aberdeen players are now showing team spirit off it as well.

The Pittodrie squad have agreed to the deal in a bid to protect the jobs of others at the club during the COVID-19 crisis.

Along with a £2million cash injection from chairman Dave Cormack and his fellow investors, the gesture from Derek McInnes and his team will help fill a financial black hole.

Devlin, who is also PFA Scotland vice-chairman, insists it wasn’t a difficult decision for the Dons players, given what was at stake.

He says securing the future of office staff and canteen workers at Pittodrie was of paramount importance. He’s convinced that in the long term, the sense of togetherness that already exists at Aberdeen will be even stronger as a result of their actions.

Devlin said: “You think of yourself first when something like this happens, in terms of just how it will impact you and your family.

“Then you have to think of the greater implications on society and on the club.

“There was a willingness from all of the players to help. We wanted to do it.

“This wasn’t anyone’s fault. It hasn’t been a mismanagement of the club or a case of people doing things wrong.

“It affects everyone, not just the players and management, more so the other people who work at the club.

“We know the light shines on us the most, in terms of being in the public eye.