Gretna have been told they must play their twice-postponed Clydesdale Bank Premier League game against Dundee United on Thursday at Fir Park.

Scottish Premier League officials made the decision on Tuesday afternoon after talks with both clubs.

However Gretna had hoped to postpone the match to a later date and will be concerned that the Fir Park pitch will not have sufficient time to recover from the recent heavy rain and snow which has left it "spongy" and unplayable.

An initial effort to have the game played on Saturday failed due to a waterlogged surface.

The game was rescheduled for Tuesday night, but Monday's snow put it in doubt. A mid-morning inspection was inconclusive, but a second inspection at 1pm saw referee Brian Winter call off the match.

Gretna and landlords Motherwell called for the problematic pitch to be left for a week, to give the Fir Park groundsman time to carry out repairs, but United wanted the game played on Wednesday.

That was considered out of the question by Gretna, whose chief executive Graeme Muir said: "I don't think 24 hours is going to solve the problem.

"Motherwell had given their preference for the pitch to be given a week's break and we would support that.

"We've had to look at supporters and anyone who would be travelling to the game, and announcing a game at short notice is going to cause problems."

Rain, snow and a big overnight freeze meant the Fir Park pitch was in no fit state for football.

Muir said: "I wasn't at Fir Park today but we had an official there who told me it was spongy.

"Of course the solution is to play football in the summer. We play lots of friendlies in July, so I don't know why we can't play serious games."

Muir rejected the suggestion Gretna could play their games away from Fir Park, where they have been tenants during their first season in the SPL.

"Somewhere along the line, someone would say there's an unfair advantage being gained," said Muir. "If we played Dundee United elsewhere, Motherwell might complain because they're both going for third place."

Gretna are staring at likely relegation from the SPL after a turbulent campaign.

Reports have indicated they could face a double drop into the Second Division of the Scottish Football League, as the SFL have concerns about the standard of their Raydale Park home.

Muir believes that would be unjust but confirmed the SFL had written to Gretna to enquire about the stadium they have had to vacate this season.

"They've sent us a letter asking us about Raydale," Muir confirmed.

"It's an interesting one. We as a football club have a full club licence. It means we meet all the criteria.

"There are other grounds in Scotland which are not all that clever.

"There's ramshackle grounds, and I don't think we fall into that category."

Muir claims forcing Gretna to drop into the Second Division would be a step too far.

"We are now becoming the laughing stock of Europe," he said.

"I'm a member of the Tartan Army and I was in Lithuania with Scotland.

"They've got a stadium which is fine for Euro 2008 qualifying matches but it's worse than Raydale."

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