Hearts are on the brink of agreeing a CVA to take the club out of administration- following the intervention of Alex Salmond.
The First Minister personally lobbied the Lithuanian authorities with a breakthrough agreement struck with UKIO Bankas who own 29% of the club and hold security over Tynecastle Stadium.
Like Dunfermline earlier this season, the CVA spares the club the shame and humiliation of liquidation which Rangers, Gretna and Airdrie have recently suffered.
Announcing today’s breakthrough from Lithuania Ian Murray of the Foundation of Hearts tweeted: “UKIO Bankas creditors met this morning and approved deal. Sale and Purchase agreement needs completed but we can say deal done.”
Hearts can now complete the CVA to take the club out of administration and start next season with a clean slate in the Championship where they will be favourites to achieve promotion.
Earlier Salmond had justified his role saying: “At the bequest of the Hearts administrators, I phoned the Lithuanian ambassador to try to facilitate the important moves that are being made.
“I should say, I’m a Hearts supporter – I declare an interest – but I have made the same approaches when necessary with other football clubs in Scotland who have been similarly struggling.
“I would always do that as First Minister because it’s part of the First Ministerial role to help Scottish football and help Scottish clubs when you can.
“I’m sure everyone in Scottish football, whichever team they support, wants to see Hearts back fighting fit and part of the firmament of our national game.
“They were helpful conversations and progress has been made.
“Of course, the people behind the eight ball here are the administrators and like every other fan in the country I’m hoping to see more progress made.
“However, we know progress has been made and we’re hoping things will reach a successful conclusion.”
In 2011 and 2012 Salmond was in contact with HMRC over the unpaid tax bills of Rangers although the correspondence hasn’t been freed up despite Freedom of Information requests.
Speaking to Al Jazeera two days after the Ibrox club went into administration the First Minister said: “The most diehard Celtic supporter understands that Celtic can’t prosper unless Rangers are there.
“The rest of the clubs understand that as well, therefore you have to have cognisance of these things when you are pursuing public policy.
“Obviously HMRC have got to pursue in the public interest, taxation. Equally, they’ve got to have cognisance of the fact that we’re talking about a huge institution, part of the fabric of the Scottish nation as well as Scottish football, and everybody realises that”.
CLICK HERE for Salmond speaks out on Rangers administration
