Hearts boss Craig Levein is ready to make the most of the Tyncecastle side’s Betfred Cup reprieve.
The Jambos were sweating over the outcome of an SPFL disciplinary sub-committee hearing having fielded an ineligible player in the 2-1 group stage win over Cove Rangers.
SPFL chiefs opted not to kick Hearts out of the competition or even strip them of all three points for fielding ineligible Andrew Irving against Cove.
Hearts admitted breaching SPFL rules and were deducted two points from their group stage tally.
The two-point deduction keeps alive Hearts’ qualification hopes and also ensures Sunday’s televised clash with Group C rivals Inverness Caley Thistle remains meaningful.
The Tynecastle club were also fined £10,000 – of which £8,000 was suspended until the end of season 2019/20.
Hearts are tonight set to host Cowdenbeath in Group C.
Levein, pictured, said: “We’re satisfied with the outcome of the hearing.
“Every case needs to be judged on its merits and that’s what the panel did.
“They considered all of the arguments before making their decision.
“We can now focus fully on our match against Cowdenbeath, knowing exactly what we have to do to get out the group.
“Our aim is to progress in this competition and we’ll be going all out to do just that.”
Teenager Irving, 18, came on in the 65th minute of the win at Cove.
The midfielder’s new contract had not been registered correctly.
Hearts had not uploaded the details of Irving’s new deal to the Scottish FA registration system, which meant he was unregistered once his previous contract expired in June.
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