LockehopesJambos winabiggervictory

HEARTS BOSS Gary Locke is still savouring Sunday’s derby victory over Hibs, but is praying the Gorgie club wins a much more important battle against possible liquidation next week.

Barely had the celebrations from the 2-0 triumph over Terry Butcher’s men subsided when reports revealed the Jambos could face a doomsday scenario if a deal to take them out of administration is not agreed in the next few weeks.

BDO, the c l u b ’s administrators, are waiting on majority shareholder UBIG’s 50% shareholding to be transferred to supporters and their backers.

Businesswoman Ann Budge has offered to buy the shares from UBIG for around £2.5 million on behalf of fans’ group, Foundation of Hearts.

However, creditors of the Lithuania-based company, whose next meeting isApril 7, have yet to sanction the proposal with one report claiming that one of UBIG’s main creditors, Sualiu Bank, is unhappy with the terms.

Bryan Jackson, of BDO, told BBC Scotland: “We have to accept now that there is a threat of liquidation and we are doing everything we can to avoid it.”

Ahead of the Scottish Premiership clash with Aberdeen at Tynecastle, where Hearts could have their inevitable relegation confirmed, Locke said: “It has been a long, hard, trying season for us, physically and mentally and all we can hope for is that we get over the line onApril 7.

“I have tried to be positive all season.

“We are coming off the back of a good result and hopefully we can get another big result next Monday.”