KELTY HEARTS have made an ambitious bid to appoint former Scotland captain Barry Ferguson as their new manager - and it looks like he's set to accept their offer.

The New Central Park club were stunned last Thursday when it was announced that Thomas Courts, who had been in charge for five years, had resigned from the role despite guiding them to the top of the Lowland League.

Coaches Murray McDowell and Dave McNeely were placed in caretaker charge for Saturday’s SFA South Challenge Cup defeat at East Stirlingshire and, while they are expected to remain in the dugout for this weekend’s Scottish Cup tie at Peterhead, the club have identified Ferguson as their top target to replace Courts.

The 40-year-old, who won 45 caps for the national side and enjoyed two spells with boyhood favourites Rangers during his playing career, has been out of the game since leaving his first managerial position with Clyde in February last year.

But, after meeting Kelty officials on Sunday for talks, he is now mulling over an offer to take over and is believed to have been sounding out the thoughts of current Ibrox player Lee Wallace, who has been helping out Kelty Hearts’ under-20 side.

Yesterday Ferguson said: “I spoke with a couple of clubs over the last seven to ten days. I’ve decided one just matched the ambition.

“It took me aback if I’m honest, it blew me away. But I’ve got things going on outside in terms of media and commitments going into next summer.

“So I’ve had to go away and try to sort them out. They’ve been good enough to let me do that. Nothing has been agreed, I’m still talking to them.

“Over the 16 months I’ve been out of management I’ve had various offers to go back in but has made me that excited and get that bit between my teeth.

“Out of respect I spoke to clubs. I went to speak to them and their ambition and drive didn’t shock me but it was right up my street.

“They’ve given me time to go away and try to sort out stuff I’ve got organised over the next six to eight months.

“I’m not going to keep them holding on. There will be an answer before the end of the week.”

He added: “They have got a full pathway through the club from 5-year-olds to 20s, they have got a successful 20s team, they have just started a woman’s team, they are revamping their full pitch, as you probably know.

“They have got planning to build two new stands and they have got a clear vision of where they want to go. Other clubs I spoke to didn’t have a clear vision.

“It is about taking them to where they want to go and they want to be the best they can be.

“It just ticked the boxes for me. I have not given an answer yes, I have not given a no.

“I had to go away and sort a few things out. Over the next 24, 48 hours there will be a decision made.

“I have got to say that the way it is run, the board and the chairman, I was really impressed with them.”

Speaking to Press Sport, chairman Ian Thomson said: “We had a meeting on Sunday, which went fine, and we asked him to become our manager.

“He was flattered by that and we’re chuffed that he came all the way from Glasgow to see what we can offer.

“We’ve done all we can do.”

He continued: “Stephen Husband used to play at Blackpool with him and has kept in contact, and Lee Wallace has been here helping with the under-20s, so we gave him a call.

“His experience at Clyde hasn’t put him off; he still has the desire to be a top coach, he has all his badges and was impressed with our facilities.

“We told him our story and the journey we’ve been on, and if we can get it over the line, it would be massive not just for the club, but the village, Fife and the Lowland League.”

During two spells with Rangers, Ferguson won five league, Scottish Cup and League Cup gongs, and had spells in England with Blackburn Rovers, Birmingham City and Blackpool before being appointed as Clyde manager in 2014.

After a sixth place finish in his first season, he led the Bully Wee to third place in League Two in 2015/16 and to the League One play-off final, in which they were beaten by Queen’s Park, before leaving his post during his third campaign in charge.

If he were to accept Kelty’s offer, he would inherit a squad that are leading the Lowland League, on goal difference from East Kilbride, in their maiden season since winning promotion from the East of Scotland League last term.