HEARTS caretaker manager Stevie Frail is hopeful his side are not involved in what turns out to be the last game for financially-stricken Gretna.
The teams meet this evening at Fir Park in their final fixture of the season, with Gretna's future on the line.
Club administrators have placed a deadline of Saturday on attempts to keep the club alive amid fears a rescue package will not be found.
The pair met in the Scottish Cup Final only two years ago, when Hearts needed a penalty shoot-out to lift the trophy against the then Second Division champions.
But they meet in a completely different set of circumstances this time and Frail is optimistic it does not prove to be the final on-field act of their already-relegated Raydale Park opponents.
He said: "It is sad to see any club go out of business. Look at the fairytale they had progressing through the leagues at the rate they did and taking us to a penalty shoot-out to win the Scottish Cup.
"It was fantastic for them and it would be sad to see them go.
"Hopefully that won't happen, hopefully things can be sorted out there and they can continue to be a league club."
Question marks hang over Frail himself, with uncertainty surrounding his role at the club when a new manager is finally found.
Having spent the last five months in charge of team affairs, there have been calls for the 38-year-old to be given the post on a permanent basis.
However, Frail insists he will approach the meeting with Gretna as he does every match - as if it will be his swan-song.
He added: "I treat every game as my last game, because I did that as a player."
Gretna midfielder Gavin Skelton admits the club's slide towards oblivion has been hard to accept.
Skelton, 27, joined Gretna in 2001, and helped the Black and Whites rise to the SPL.
"Once the season is over and I sit down and reflect on things, it might sink in," he said.
"I don't know what will happen and time is running out but I hope it's positive news that we get and not the end. It would be a shame to see it all go to waste."
