CELTIC'S bid to equal the all-time record for points in the Scottish top division could be scuppered - by a team they will not even play again this season.

If Hearts are forced into liquidation before the season ends, and fail to fulfil their fixtures, all results involving them will be null and void.

Having defeated the bottom club three times in this league campaign, that would cost the Hoops nine points from their tally of 85.

And the most they could achieve would then be reduced from 103 points to just 94. That's nine below the mark set by Celtic for their 38 games in season 2001-02.

The champions missed the chance to take another big step towards their target when held to a 1-1 draw by Ross County last weekend.

But manager Neil Lennon fully expects his players to get back into top gear when they face Dundee United at Tannadice on Saturday.

"Do you know what?" said Lennon, philosophically. "People ask me about the points record, but I have not really given it much consideration.

"Now the players can get their release. They have got their celebrations out of the way, and can focus once again on finishing well."

Even though Lennon is unperturbed by any fall out from Hearts' predicament, there could still be a significant price to pay for at least one member of the Hoops squad.

The SFA have issued a Notice of Complaint against Leigh Griffiths after video footage emerged of him allegedly singing about the Tynecastle's threat of liquidation before last weekend's Edinburgh derby win over Hibs, in which he watched from the away stand in Gorgie.

The charge stipulates that the former Hibee was "not acting in the best interests of Association Football by singing in public about Heart of Midlothian FC in administration."

The case against the striker is scheduled for April 24 at Hampden.

But Celtic say there is no need for such action as they have already fined the player who apologised for his actions while the club had made an pology to Hearts which had been accepted.

Meanwhile, the police authorities have decided no action will be taken against anyone following the abuse of Lennon while he watched the League Cup semi-final between Aberdeen and St Johnstone at Tynecastle on Feburary 1.