FIGHT GAME

DAVID SOUTHERN has slammed the “crocodile tears” shed by SPFL clubs for Hearts, Partick Thistle and Stranraer.

The former Tynecastle chief believes the reaction of other clubs since court action was announced has exposed the idea of a “football family” as myth.

Hearts and Thistle’s joint legal petition will be heard at the Court of Session in Edinburgh this morning, when it will be decided if the challenging of their respective relegations is a matter for the courts or to be arbitrated by the SFA.

Former Hearts managing director Southern believes many of their rivals have shown their true colours since the Jambos and the Jags decided not to accept their fate lying down.

And that talk of co-operation and working together for the great good was just that.

As a result, they could regret dismissing the concerns of Ann Budge and Jacqui Low.

Southern told Record Sport: “There were a lot of crocodile tears for Hearts, Partick Thistle and Stranraer.

“Stranraer have been a bit forgotten in this. Partick not so much but there have been a lot of crocodile tears for all three of them.

“As has been the way in Scottish football for years, people then just turn their back and move on. Invariably there doesn’t tend to be any consequences.

“But given the gross injustice that there’s been here, you can’t blame Hearts and Partick Thistle for taking this legal route.

“It’s very unusual but you certainly can’t blame them. I saw Craig Gordon’s comments and I’d just back up what he said as well.

“To underestimate Ann and Jacqui Low, you do that at your