Sevco issue Hearts warning

Joe McHugh

Stand-in Sevco chief executive Craig Mather has issued a warning to the football authorities over the administration of Hearts.

The failed former football agent and horse raining trainer is following in the footsteps of Charles Green in commenting on issues that he has no real knowledge of but which is sure to prove popular with supporters of the Third Division champions.

Failing to appreciate that Hearts were hit with a 50% harsher punishment for going into administration than Rangers suffered in 2012 Mather warned that he was watching events closely.

Using his clubs’ website he said: “The situation at Hearts, putting everything else to one side for a minute, affects people’s livelihoods. From that perspective, I do have sympathy for all of them there.

“I just hope common sense prevails and people aren’t as quick to judge and make rash decisions like they did with us then have to pick up the pieces afterwards.

“It is important time is taken to make the right decisions. I’m not privy to all the information but they need to make an educated decision to avoid the fall-out there was with Rangers.

“That can’t happen again to Scottish football. I will be watching with interest to make sure it is a black and white decision and that it’s fair.

“All points need to be taken into consideration and we have to make sure the decisions made are right.”

Mather hasn’t expressed any opinion on the administration situation at Second Division rivals Dunfermline. Perhaps once his club have published audited accounts he’ll be in a position to comment on the finances of other clubs.

Hearts face a desperate fight to avoid liquidation with BDO hoping to raise £600,000 by the end of this week to see the club through to the start of the new season.

If Hearts fail to agree a CVA to their debtors the club will go into liquidation throwing Scottish football into chaos with no mechanism in place to give their newco a place in the lowest tier of the Scottish Professional Football League.