Hamilton boss Brian Rice backs Hearts and Partick Thistle stance in battle with SPFL

The duo had their legal fight referred to the Scottish FA for arbitration

Hamilton Accies boss Brian Rice has backed Hearts and Partick Thistle’s stance in their legal fight against the SPFL.

The duo have vowed to continue their battle with the league body following Friday afternoon’s court ruling.

Lord Alistair Clark QC, who has been overseeing the proceedings at the Court of Session, referred the legal action to the Scottish FA’s arbitration process.

Hamilton boss Brian Rice has backed Hearts and Partick Thistle' stance. Picture: SNS

Hearts and Thistle are looking to be reinstated into the Premiership and Championship respectively, or a total compensation package of £10million.

Rice, speaking to the media, revealed he had no issue with the stance of the two clubs and hoped that if Accies were in the same position.

“They’re doing the best for their club,” he told BBC Scotland. “The two clubs involved, they’ve got a gripe and quite rightly so, every club would be the same, they’re just looking after their club and their fans.

“I’ve absolutely no qualms with that. I would like to think we’d be doing the exact same thing. So I don’t take anything personal. Ann Budge is doing what Ann Budge thinks is best for Hearts and Partick Thistle also, you know you’ve got to look after your club.

Football clubs are a massive part of the community, absolutely massive and it generates a lot of money. So whether it is right or wrong they’re looking after their clubs in my opinion.”