Hearts: Gary Locke has no preference over bidders

Hearts manager Gary Locke hopes a preferred bidder for the club can be announced swiftly but insists he has no personal preference about who it is.

The Foundation of Hearts fans group has submitted a bid, while HMFC Limited is also expected to put in an offer.

"You just want someone to come in and run the club properly and within its means," said Locke.

"If we can get an owner that can do that, we'll be delighted. I want the club to move in the right direction."

Interested parties have been instructed by adminstrator BDO to submit bids by 1700 BST on Friday.

But Locke admits he is bracing himself for "a bit of a drawn-out process".

"I don't think it'll be something that'll be done overnight," he explained.

"But, for myself, it was obviously be great if it was done quickly and you got a wee opportunity to bring in a couple of players before the window shuts.

"But, if that isn't the case, we just have to get on with the players that are here and try to do our best.
Tynecastle

Hearts have played at Tynecastle since 1886

"Whoever comes in, we are looking for Hearts to get back to where they should be, being a top club in Scotland and trying to get into Europe and challenging for cups and, if we get back to that, I would be delighted.

"I don't have a preferred bidder. I just want someone who's going to come in and have the club at heart first and foremost."

One of Hearts' main creditors, Ukio Bankas, has security against the club's Tynecastle Stadium and administrator BDO have stated the club may lose the ground.

And Locke, who described a delayed delivery of players' training kit as "not a huge problem", pondered the prospect of finding a new home.

"If a new owner comes in and wants to move away from Tynecastle, that's up to them," Locke said.

"We're just happy to be here, we're surviving and our home's Tynecastle.

"You can possibly see the benefits when you see some of the clubs down in England who have moved stadium.

"But Tynecastle is our home, it's where everybody associates Heart of Midlothian and it's a fantastic arena to play football in."

Former Hearts assistant manager Billy Brown is assisting Locke free of charge and he is being complimented by the club's record goalscorer and former boss.

"Administration obviously affects one or two things," added Locke. I had hoped to add a few players and a couple to the backroom team.

"Billy's come in and John Robertson's come in this morning to help with the strikers.

"Fantastic that two people I really respect in the game have offered their services for free and it's a great help to me and the players."

Taken from the BBC