Gretna fans are expecting emotional scenes at the end of their Clydesdale Premier League match against Hearts tonight, even though they have not given up hope that the club will have a future.

The administrators running the club, who have long since been relegated after just one season in Scotland's top flight, have set a deadline of this Saturday for any takeover bid.

There are fears, therefore, that tonight's match could be the last time the club ever take to the field, but Craig Williamson, chairman of the Gretna Supporters Society, is heartened by what happened just over the border at Carlisle.

He said: "It will be a sad occasion against Hearts, and I'm sure some of the more emotional fans will have a tear in their eyes.

"You always have that feeling it is going to be the last time you are ever going to see Gretna. It is obviously going to be their last game in the SPL but it will be a really sad occasion if this is the last ever game that Gretna Football Club play.

"The worst thing about it is that it is on a Tuesday night. I know people who have followed the club all season to every home and away game and they have to work and will not make it.

"But I am hopeful that someone will come in at the last minute to buy the club.

"When Carlisle United were in administration they had no bids for the club until the morning and it was all sorted out by midday. These things always happen at the last minute."

Gavin Skelton, the Raydale Park side's longest-serving player, echoed those sentiments. The 27-year-old said: "Hopefully it won't be the club's last game but it is looking more and more like it will be.

"We'll all approach it differently but there will definitely be sadness and lot of emotion there after all we've been through this season.

"We've stuck together and there will be sadness that this group of players is to be broken up but, because of what's gone on, there might also be a bit of relief that the season is over."

David Elliot, of administrators Wilson Field, said four parties were interested in the club - who owe £4m to creditors - including one from America and one from Australia.

Williamson added: "The most important thing is that we get someone who wants to play football at Gretna. Our main aim is to keep a football club in the town no matter what division in the Scottish Football League we are playing in."

Meanwhile, Hearts defender Christos Karipidis has backed interim head coach Stephen Frail to be given the job on a permanent basis.

Vladimir Romanov, the club's owner, put Frail in charge on New Year's Day, but said he was looking for a new coach. More than four months on, Frail remains in place, but the match against Gretna could be his last.

Hearts were second-bottom of the SPL when Frail took over, and he took them to within one victory of a place in the top six.

Karipidis said: "It is difficult to talk about Shaggy staying because I don't know how he would feel if another manager came. If you are asking me, I want him to stay here because he has given a lot of years to Hearts, he knows everything, he has worked with young players but it is up to him.

"It is up to Romanov, but I am happy with Shaggy. I don't have a problem with him, I enjoy the training, I'm happy and I don't think any of the players have a problem with him. Training is enjoyable and everybody knows he loves this team and works hard for it. We have had some good results, but not good enough to get into the top six."