Hearts are poised to take further steps to move away from Tynecastle following a report which concluded redevelopment of the Edinburgh venue is "not a viable option."
The report, jointly commissioned by Hearts and City of Edinburgh council, also stated the stadium "is in poor condition, lacks many amenities, is constrained by adjacent occupiers and is non UEFA compliant", while recommending an alternative site be sought.
Hearts are prepared to co-operate with the findings of the report, conducted over three months by consultants Doig+Smith and GVA Grimley, according to a statement on their official website and say the club is "suffocating in its present location".
A spokesperson for the Clydesdale Bank Premier League side said on www.heartsfc.co.uk: "The emotional ties are undoubtedly to try and redevelop the existing Tynecastle Stadium. However, this report highlights the extreme difficulties the club faces.
"The club is suffocating in its present location but the owner (Vladimir Romanov) and board remain determined to develop a first-class footballing arena in the city.
"The report provides a number of significant recommendations relating to potential partnership models and we will consider these over the coming weeks. We must deliver a new stadium in order to meet our aim of building a top-class football team based in west Edinburgh.
"In turn we will be better able to reflect the city's desire for greater business growth, job creation, revenue generation, attraction of more visitors to the city and showcase Edinburgh as a true footballing and sports city as well as a Festival city."
The report states the club believe there is a need for a community, multi-purpose venue in west Edinburgh and the city council will now consider whether to enter a formal partnership with Hearts.
A previous consultation survey showed Hearts supporters favoured a move to a new stadium with a capacity of between 20,000 and 30,000 within a five-mile radius of the existing stadium.
The new report concludes by recommending that a detailed analysis and development appraisal of potential new sites from 16 acres plus in central/west Edinburgh is required up to five miles drive from Tynecastle.
