Ex-Hearts chief sends pointed Game of Thrones tweet about SPFL resolution vote

Dundee switched their position to back terminating the season

Former Hearts chief operating officer Scott Gardiner sent what appeared to be a pointed tweet in the direction of Dundee and the outcome of the SPFL resolution.

The Dens Park club finally re-submitted their vote on Wednesday after originally rejecting the proposal from the governing body to terminate the season on Friday.

Gardiner, who is Inverness CT chief executive, explained to the BBC on Saturday that the Highland club, Partick Thistle and Dundee were all set to vote against the resolution, meaning it would not have reached the 75 per cent threshold in the Championship to pass.

Dundee’s vote, however, did not land with the SPFL prior to the organisation releasing a statement showing the vote as it stood on Friday evening and how the resolution came down to the final Championship club.

They then retracted their vote.

The whole farrago has played out across Scottish football in the past week with a number of clubs releasing statements until it was confirmed on Wednesday by the SPFL that the resolution had passed with 81 per cent of the 42 member clubs in agreement.

Gardiner appeared miffed by the conclusion of the proposal, sending a biting tweet, referencing a memorable scene from Game of Thrones, a show based almost entirely on the conflicts and the fight for power.

Scott Gardiner was previously Hearts' chief operating officer. Picture: SNS

He posted: “If you are looking for something to take your mind of things on TV I would highly recommend GOT even if you have seen it many times. It will never cease to shock you.”

The tweet was accompanied by an image from the show which read: ‘Shame. Shame. Shame.’

League reconstruction

The SPFL confirmed that Dundee United, Raith Rovers and Cove Rangers were the Championship, League One and League Two winners respectively, while Partick Thistle and Stranraer are to be relegated.

As for the Scottish Premiership, it is still to be decided, although a precedent has been set for Celtic to be awarded their ninth consecutive title and Hearts consigned to the Championship.

The relegation prospect may change, however, with a task force set to look at possible league reconstruction. It will be chaired by Hamilton’s Les Gray and Hearts chairman Ann Budge.

The SPFL’s chief executive Neil Doncaster said: “Prior to this positive result, we were unable to make the vital end-of-season payments, which will provide a lifeline to so many clubs in the lower divisions. From our detailed discussions with clubs, many were facing an enormous cash-flow crisis. We have moved as quickly as possible to try to resolve this unprecedented situation.

“We’ve achieved the 75 per cent agreement threshold in the Ladbrokes Premiership, Championship and Leagues 1 and 2 and will now be working as quickly as we can to get the end-of-season payments to members in the three lower divisions by the end of this week.”