The builder who admitted burning down a South Melbourne pub part-owned by former Collingwood star Dane Swan is facing deportation to Scotland, a court has heard.

Andrew McMahon, 48, was the builder in charge of renovating the Albion Hotel when he lit a fire on the pub's ground floor on October 5, 2015.

Builder Andrew McMahon pleaded guilty to one charge of intending to destroy property by arson. Credit:Jesse Marlow

The Berwick man hoped to buy himself an extra fortnight to finish the project, which was running behind schedule, the County Court heard on Tuesday.

McMahon, who pleaded guilty to arson, initially told police that masked burglars had knocked him unconscious, but later said he only intended to "start a small fire".