The former QPR, Leicester and Plymouth manager's agent has held talks with the Clydesdale Bank Premier League club who have been searching for a permanent boss since January.

Holloway, 45, left Leicester at the end of last season, following their relegation to Coca-Cola League One.

Hearts have ruled out appointing a Scottish manager, with owner Vladimir Romanov citing concerns about the "local footballing mafia", but an English boss such as Holloway could fit the bill.

Holloway said in the Scottish Daily Express: "Hearts have spoken to my agent at length and are aware that I am interested in the job.

"I believe they want to talk to me but they have concerns due to the fact I don't have my (UEFA) pro-licence.

"I don't know if that is going to cause a problem but I am working towards it and my assistant Tim Breacker already has his full UEFA pro-licence, so hopefully that will overcome the problem.

"We will have to see what happens but I am definitely interested in the job."

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Bradford manager Stuart McCall has dismissed speculation linking him to Hearts as "a load of tosh".

The former Rangers and Scotland midfielder told the Telegraph & Argus: "I know nothing about it. It sounds like a load of tosh.

"The only link I can possibly think of is that Campbell Ogilvie, the Hearts chief executive, used to be secretary at Rangers.

"He's a real football man and a real gentleman and whether people are looking at that as the connection, I don't know. But I've not heard anything at all and I don't expect to. I'm happy with the job I want to do here."