Rangers hopes suffer double blow

Crisis club Rangers hopes of being allowed to play in the Scottish Premier League next season suffered a double blow on Thursday when Dundee United and Hearts said they will vote against the proposal. Rangers require an 8-4 majority for the 'newco' to be included in the top flight next season when all 12 Scottish Premier League clubs - including Rangers - vote on the issue at the general meeting on July 4. "The board... are unequivocal in the belief that a form of sporting punishment must form part of the reasoning behind any decision made and, therefore, cannot vote the newco into the SPL," said a Dundee United statement. "General sporting integrity and, more importantly, the integrity of Scottish football must also play a significant part in the decision-making process. It is our belief that any form of sporting punishment must be unambiguous in the message it displays." Earlier, Hearts owner Vladimir Romanov revealed his club are set to vote against Rangers. "Supporters deserve a new beginning and have to accept the fact that their club has to start from the lower league, keeping order in the SPL and without creating unfair competition with other clubs," said Romanov.