Sergejus Fedotovas, the Hearts director, has indicated the club will still consider a supporters-led takeover as the former Livingston chairman Angelo Massone ruled himself out.

Fedotovas revealed at the weekend that the club could be under new ownership as early as this summer, with talks continuing with unnamed parties. Hopes of supporter involvement on the board have been led by the Foundation of Hearts, who failed with a £450,000 offer last November, but it now appears Vladimir Romanov, the majority shareholder, is concentrating his search for a buyer elsewhere.

Fedotovas, however, met Paul Goodwin of Supporters Direct Scotland – an independent body that promotes fan ownership – on Saturday and insists there is still scope for the fans to play their part.