GLASGOW (AFP) - Gretna have been told by officials from the Scottish Premier League they must play their twice-postponed match against Dundee United at Fir Park on Thursday.

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 and it was then re-scheduled for Tuesday.

But snow on Monday put the match in doubt and after two inspections on Tuesday the game was again postponed.

Gretna are playing their home matches at Fir Park, Motherwell's ground, because Raydale Park doesn't meet SPL criteria.

Basement club Gretna seem set for relegation to the First Division as they are presently nine points adrift of safety.

Dundee United are fourth in the table, four points behind third-placed Motherwell.