St Johnstone have been given a formal warning over the late postponement of last month’s Clydesdale Bank Premier League match with Rangers.

The SPL have confirmed the Perth club had avoided any sanction over the call-off because it was considered to be a “first offence”.

Saints’ undersoil heating failed to thaw parts of the McDiarmid Park pitch which had frozen overnight and referee Mike Tumilty ordered a postponement just an hour before the scheduled 12.45pm kick-off.

The club immediately admitted they were at fault and vowed to investigate the problem.

An SPL spokesman said: “St Johnstone have put their hands up and admitted it was their fault.

“They have been warned today and they have given reassurances that the mechanical issues have been resolved.”

The SPL made the decision during a board meeting at which they also discussed the problems with a number of their clubs’ pitches this season.

The governing body have sent experts to examine certain grounds, including Fir Park and the Falkirk Stadium.

Motherwell’s pitch has been criticised for the second season running, while Falkirk’s surface has also come in for flak.

Hibernian’s Easter Road and Aberdeen’s Pittodrie Stadium have also attracted criticism.

The SPL spokesman added: “There were some broader concerns about a number of other pitches.”