Ex-Partick Thistle chief Allan Cowan insists relegation is a case of 'what goes around comes around' for Hearts.
The former Jags chairman was on the board when they were controversially demoted from the top flight in 2004.
It came after Inverness were allowed to groundshare with Aberdeen to secure their promotion.
Caley had not met the top flight's minimun requirement for a 10,0000-seater stadium of their own at the time.
However, Thistle were bottom of the table that season and argued that Inverness had not met the deadline for approval of their groundshare.
The Firhill club looked to be saved when only seven clubs voted to allow Inverness into the league, with a minimum of eight required.
However, Hearts then brought forward a second vote with Hibs after arguing the rules had been misinterpreted, which Partick Thistle lost 10-2.
Cowan never forgot that and reckons the Jambos are now getting a taste of their own medicine as they face relegation, even as the Jags have been demoted to League One.
He told the Daily Record: "The old expression, 'what goes around comes around', springs to mind.
"I have no bitterness towards Hearts these days as different people are running the club.
"Ann Budge seems a very capable businesswoman but it's a case of swallowing their own medicine."
Hearts are set to be relegated after Premiership clubs voted to end the campaign early due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Jambos chief Ann Budge has already admitted to considering legal action against the SPFL if that comes to pass.
And looking back at Partick Thistle's relegation, Cowan sees some similarities in the situation.
He said: "It was like the Prime Minister calling a general election and not liking the result, so calling it again.
“There were forces at work and there may be similarities between then and now.
“When certain people decide certain things are going to happen, they will use the rules to their own advantage.
“I well remember going for our interdict at the Court of Session and watching as Lord Brodie pushed back his wig and admitted even he couldn’t understand the SPL’s rulebook.
“Everyone knew what the rulebook meant but powerful forces within some of the clubs wanted Inverness promoted and as a consequence Partick Thistle had to be relegated.
“We didn’t lose our case because we lacked having the law behind us.
"We lost because the SPL argued there was still an avenue for redress through the SFA.
“Then, when it went to the SFA, the SPL argued the SFA had no jurisdiction to hear the appeal!
"I don’t know if Rangers or Partick Thistle will make a legal challenge against the SPFL this time around.
“I understand the Rangers dossier covers a good number of company law points which are against the position the SPFL have taken.
“However, whether anyone is brave enough – or daft enough – to challenge them through the courts again remains to be seen."
The former Jags chairman was on the board when they were controversially demoted from the top flight in 2004.
It came after Inverness were allowed to groundshare with Aberdeen to secure their promotion.
Caley had not met the top flight's minimun requirement for a 10,0000-seater stadium of their own at the time.
However, Thistle were bottom of the table that season and argued that Inverness had not met the deadline for approval of their groundshare.
The Firhill club looked to be saved when only seven clubs voted to allow Inverness into the league, with a minimum of eight required.
However, Hearts then brought forward a second vote with Hibs after arguing the rules had been misinterpreted, which Partick Thistle lost 10-2.
Cowan never forgot that and reckons the Jambos are now getting a taste of their own medicine as they face relegation, even as the Jags have been demoted to League One.
He told the Daily Record: "The old expression, 'what goes around comes around', springs to mind.
"I have no bitterness towards Hearts these days as different people are running the club.
"Ann Budge seems a very capable businesswoman but it's a case of swallowing their own medicine."
Hearts are set to be relegated after Premiership clubs voted to end the campaign early due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Jambos chief Ann Budge has already admitted to considering legal action against the SPFL if that comes to pass.
And looking back at Partick Thistle's relegation, Cowan sees some similarities in the situation.
He said: "It was like the Prime Minister calling a general election and not liking the result, so calling it again.
“There were forces at work and there may be similarities between then and now.
“When certain people decide certain things are going to happen, they will use the rules to their own advantage.
“I well remember going for our interdict at the Court of Session and watching as Lord Brodie pushed back his wig and admitted even he couldn’t understand the SPL’s rulebook.
“Everyone knew what the rulebook meant but powerful forces within some of the clubs wanted Inverness promoted and as a consequence Partick Thistle had to be relegated.
“We didn’t lose our case because we lacked having the law behind us.
"We lost because the SPL argued there was still an avenue for redress through the SFA.
“Then, when it went to the SFA, the SPL argued the SFA had no jurisdiction to hear the appeal!
"I don’t know if Rangers or Partick Thistle will make a legal challenge against the SPFL this time around.
“I understand the Rangers dossier covers a good number of company law points which are against the position the SPFL have taken.
“However, whether anyone is brave enough – or daft enough – to challenge them through the courts again remains to be seen."