Scottish football clubs could return to training as early as next month, according to the Scottish Government lockdown 'route map'.
Phase two would see professional sport resume in line with public health advice. Phase one is set to kick in on Thursday (28 May) however a review will take place three weeks later – on 18 June – with a view to possibly moving on to stage two.
Government and health chiefs have insisted this decision will ultimately depend on how much progress has been made to overcome COVID-19, and ultimately there's no set date been agreed for the move to phase two.
In the event the steps taken to halt the virus in the next three weeks are successful, and we can move to step two in June, clubs would then begin training with a view to a return to action around six weeks later.
This would likely only apply to the top division though, with other leagues facing uncertainty over whether behind-closed-doors football would be financially possible.
And that would, of course, mean that Hearts could have a longer wait ahead should league reconstruction fail.
Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell told BBC Scotland that a return to games in August could be possible.
He added that they are working through a three-stage plan. Firstly, they need to get players back training, then matches will restart and finally fans will be allowed back in stadiums.
He said: "We have a four to six week training schedule which the medical group are working through, and outlining the process that will take. Regardless of when a start date to a division is, the SPFL have said they would like, for obvious reasons, to get the games started back in August and we can fit the plans we have from a training perspective around about those times.
"I think it's likely we'll see football in August.
"We're seeing it in countries across Europe. Whether they are finishing league programmes, and there are some which will look to start next season's programme. I think it's definitely achieveable. The plans we are putting in place are comprehensive."
He added: "They [the Scottish Government] have released their phased plan, and stage two of their plan talks about a return to professional sport. That is three weeks after this Friday's review date. That ties in with around about the 10th –18th of June. Somewhere around that period. Obviously that is fluid and can change, but we have to go on the hope and expectation that it won't and the numbers we see in terms of the virus continue to decrease, and that gives us the opportunity to plan for then.
"As long as all those elements fall into place there's no reason why we can't be training then and playing six weeks after that."
