Hearts set to learn SPL fate

The Scottish Premier League board met this morning to discuss the situation at Hearts following the apparent financial collapse of their majority shareholder, UBIG.

The club could face an 18-point deduction, and instant relegation, if it is decided that SPL rules were breached by UBIG's declaration of insolvency last week.

UBIG was last week listed on a Lithuanian government website of insolvent firms after reportedly declaring itself unable to meet its liabilities.

The firm owns 79% of shares in Hearts and SPL rules can lead to points deductions if an owner suffers insolvency.

The board met ahead of an all-club meeting, which had already been scheduled to discuss ongoing attempts at league reconstruction, and are expected to reconvene after lunch when the other club representatives leave.

The SPL has been consulting with its lawyers over its rules and whether UBIG's action is in breach of them.

Dundee, who were promoted to the SPL after the Rangers newco's application to join the league was rejected last summer, finished bottom of the SPL, 14 points behind Hearts.

And they could be handed a reprieve if Hearts are deducted a third of last season's points tally.

On his way into the SPL meeting, Dundee chief executive Scot Gardiner said: "I don't have any thoughts on it at all. It's nothing to do with us until we are told something different.

"It could impact on us but it's nothing to do with us.

"At the moment we are planning for the SFL. We are trying to sign players to win the First Division and hopefully we will be successful in doing that."