DONS boss Craig Brown suffered a double blow in his attempts to transform Aberdeen's fortunes as Hearts declared an interest in defender Zander Diamond before the Dons' slim top-six hopes were hit by a goalless draw against St Johnstone.
Hearts manager Jim Jefferies contacted Brown over Diamond hours before the Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash, where the form of both goalkeepers ensured a stalemate.
Diamond, who is out of contract in the summer, was absent with an ankle injury, but he was on Brown's mind after the match.
The Aberdeen manager said: "To Jim Jefferies' great credit, he phoned me and said, `I have not spoken to Zander Diamond but the possibility is, when I have gathered all the information, I will speak to him, but I will let you know'.
"Obviously we will offer Zander a contract. But the usual deciding factor is financial and in that regard I think we would struggle to compete.
"We will wait until after the cup match against St Mirren and then we can sit and talk to our out-of-contract players."
Source: PA
Source: PA