Hearts have appointed Dundee United boss Robbie Neilson as manager for the second time, just days after launching a legal challenge to deny the Dundee side promotion.

Neilson, who was previously in charge at Tynecastle between 2014 and 2016, rejoins the Jambos on a three-year contract.

United are due to replace Hearts in the Scottish top flight when the season starts on 1 August.

Neilson led the club to a 14-point lead at the top of the Championship before the coronavirus pandemic stopped the Scottish season in March.

United were promoted and Hearts relegated based on points-per-game standings.

But the latter are legally challenging their relegation.

Hearts, along with Partick Thistle, who were relegated from the Championship, filed a petition at Scotland's Court of Session on Wednesday to demand that all promotions are scrapped.

"You don't turn down the chance to come to a club like Hearts and I'm absolutely delighted to be coming back," Neilson told Hearts' website.

"I'd like to say thank you to Dundee United for the opportunity they gave me two years ago. I hope the United fans feel that together we managed to restore the club back to where it belongs."

Neilson led Hearts to promotion when they were last in the Championship in 2014/15 before leaving to join MK Dons in 2016.