ST JOHNSTONE have demanded a full SPFL investigation after their Scottish Premiership match with Dundee United was postponed.  

The Tayside derby was scrapped after referee Colin Steven deemed the Tannadice surface to be unplayable at around 13:15pm. 

"It was unsafe," Steven said. "There was a section in the middle that hadn't thawed." 

The match has now been rescheduled for Tuesday at 6:30pm, but Saints admit they were “disappointed” by the late call. 

A McDiarmid Park statement read: "We are disappointed the game was called off just over 90 minutes from kick-off. 

"With Dundee United having undersoil heating, we fully expected the fixture to go ahead. We did not expect this. 

"We now fully expect the SPFL to look into why the game could not be played and why it was such a late call off. 

"Callum and the players prepared for this game and we feel for them not to have the game on.” 

The abandoned match was set to be dedicated to United legend Jim McLean after his sad passing last week. An 80-page match programme was produced, an 83rd minute’s applause was planned, and half of all proceeds from the game were set to go to Alzheimer’s Scotland.  

United players were also due to wear T-shirts in his honour during their warm-up with current manager Micky Mellon promising the day would be used to honour the memory of McLean.  

Saints’ statement added: "Thankfully, with supporters not being allowed into games, none of our fans had travelled to Tannadice. So, that's an upside. 

"It was also the day that Dundee United paid their tributes to Jim McLean after his sad passing. All in all, it's been far from ideal." 

Pictures showed the Tannadice surface covered in snow and ice with only small parts of the pitch looking in playable condition.  

Herald and Times Sport understand the SPFL will open an investigation into Dundee United early next week.