Derek McInnes has expressed solidarity with Hearts following their exit from the Premiership.
The Aberdeen boss believes it was a "terrible decision" and unfair on the Tynecastle club, insisting temporary reconstruction would have been a fairer alternative.
McInnes, whose side finished fourth in the Premiership, says he would be saying the same no matter what club had been in this situation.
Speaking in The Press and Journal, McInnes said: "I think it is a terrible decision that Hearts have been relegated.
“It is so unfair and I would say that for any club at the bottom of the table.
“That would be the case even with one or two games to go, never mind eight or nine games to go. It was still in their hands and well within their control.
“The hand that they have been dealt in being effectively relegated is so harsh.
“I thought there could have been a way where we could have had temporary reconstruction that could have satisfied the majority.
“It might not have been what everybody wanted and I understand why there is a need for not having a permanently expanded league.
“But something could have happened on a temporary basis to deal with this situation.
“I find it so disappointing that Hearts, as it stands, are going to get relegated.
“Not just because it is Hearts and what they bring to the league.
“If it had been any team I would have thought it was so unfair on them.
“A temporary reconstruction could have been possible, but those conversations have been had and we move on now.”
